[Cytological characteristics of the bronchial epithelium in lung cancer and chronic lung disease].

Cytological patterns of bronchial epithelium were studied in 204 cases of lung cancer and 131 cases of chronic non-specific lung lesions and tuberculosis. The material under study included bronchial washings and smears. Reactive changes in bronchial epithelium in certain forms of lung cancer, chronic non-specific lesions and tuberculosis appeared to be different. Reactive changes are of no diagnostic value unless cellular background, pattern of sputum, and clinical course and case history data are taken into account.