[Usefulness of microscopic examination of bronchial cellular material for lung cancer diagnosis and determination of cell type].

Results of microscopical examination of airway material (sputum, bronchoscopy) were analysed in 563 patients with lung cancer. Bronchoscopic material was examined from all patients, while sputum only from 352. Sputum was always analysed prior examination of bronchoscopic material cancer cells were found in material from lower airways in 366 patients (65%), correct cell typing was achieved in 286 (78.1%). Cancer cells were present in the sputum in 28.1% of the analysed patients and in 60% of the material obtained during bronchoscopy. In 178 patients with squamous cell lung cancer, cancer cells were found in 64.9% while correct cell typing was found in 83.4%. In 183 patients with small cell lung cancer, neoplastic cells were found in 72.6% of the cases while correct cell typing was achieved in 88.7%. In 144 patients with adenocarcinoma cancer cells were found in 53.4% while correct typing was present in 64.9%. In 18 cases of large cell lung cancer, cancer cells were present in 50%, and correct cell typing was achieved in 22.2%. Differences were statistically significant between small cell lung cancer and adenocarcinoma. Correct cell typing was statistically more often significant in patients with squamous cell lung cancer or SCLC in comparison with the other types. Significant results of positive cytology was found when analysing localisation of the tumor. In cases of central tumor cytology was positive in 60% of the cases, while in peripheral tumors it was positive only in 43.9% of the cases. The size of the tumor did not affect the sensitivity of the cytological examination.