[The value of sputum cytodiagnosis as a screening method for lung cancer detection--results of a study (author's transl)].

In the course of a screening program for lung cancer detection which has been going on for several years, 2432 male risk persons, aged 42-67, were examined cytologically in 1974 and 1975. The annual rate of incidence of lung cancer in this population is unknown. We estimate it at 3-4%. From two sputa of each patient we screened one specimen. 24.7% of the sputa were unsatisfactory. In the remaining preparations there were neither tumor cells nor cells suspicious for cancer. This result is discussed in view of the experiences of other authors, that the sensitivity of cytological screening for lung cancer is 33-38%. Recommendations are given for increasing the number of detected cases.