[Investigation of two cases of a clinically unknown large cell carcinoma of the lung involved with severe stenosis of the bilateral main bronchi].

Reported are two rare cases of a clinically unknown large cell carcinoma of the lung, associated with severe stenosis of the bilateral main bronchi. Case 1: A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chief complaints that included a cough, hemosputum, and dyspnea. Based on the bronchoscopic findings that revealed severe stenosis of the bilateral main bronchi and a specimen that was biopsied from tracheal spur, a diagnosis of large cell carcinoma of the lung was made. Although anticancer chemotherapy and irradiation therapy produced a slight improvement in the patient's symptoms, at the 10th hospital week the patient died of suffocation. Case 2: A 77-year woman was admitted to hospital with chief complaints that included a cough and hemosputum. A bronchoscopy revealed severe stenosis of the bilateral main bronchi. After the 4th hospital day the patient complained of increasing dyspnea. At the 9th hospital day the patient died of suffocation. An autopsy results revealed a large cell carcinoma (giant type) of the lung.