[Evaluation of the role of cytology in the diagnosis of cancer of the lung. Comparison between cytology and pathological anatomy in 330 cases of proximal cancers].

This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the interest of cytology in the diagnosis of pulmonary carcinomas. Bronchial samples were collected from 330 patients known to display a macroscopic lesion which was detected by bronchoscopy. Cytological analysis of the bronchial brushings and washings, removed at the first fibroscopy, allowed the diagnosis of malignancy in 92% of the cases analyzed whereas the biopsy confirmed the malignancy in 77% of the cases. In conclusion cytological studies gave information on malignity and classification in 90% of the cases. However histological classification only could guarantee the choice of the best treatment regimen.