[Bronchopulmonary adenocarcinomas of apparently primary origin. A retrospective study of sixty-six patients (author's transl)].

A retrospective study of sixty-six case-reports confirmed the traditional factors described in this histological type of cancer, particularly the age, a slight predominence of males, and the very poor prognosis. A selection was made of 42 cases in which extensive investigations had been carried out to search for a possible extrapulmonary primary adenocarcinoma, but only one case of renal cancer and one of thyroid cancer were demonstrated. Autopsy had revealed the presence of 3 prostatic lesions and their relation to the pulmonary affection is discussed. Thyroid cancer had been found in 2 cases, which emphasizes the value of scintigraphy for this organ, whereas the authors felt that other investigations were of no value in the absence of clinically oriented signs.