A case of early-stage lung cancer detected by autofluorescence bronchoscopy.
A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination of abnormal sputum cytology. No abnormal nodular shadows were detected in chest X-ray and chest CT. The location of the tumor was clearly identified as a defect of autofluorescence by autofluorescence bronchoscopy at the bifurcation between the left B1+2 and B3 bronchi, whereas it was quite difficult by conventional bronchoscopy. Transbronchial biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Further examinations yielded the diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy was performed and complete response was confirmed. This case indicates the efficacy of autofluorescence bronchoscopy for detecting early-stage lung cancer.
Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Therapeutics, Course of Bioregulation and Medical Oncology, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan.
Masaki
M
Hanibuchi
Seiji
S
Yano
Nobutaka
N
Edakuni
Mami
M
Inayama
Saburo
S
Sone
D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy