Prognostic implications of bronchogenic carcinoma proven by bronchoscopic biopsy.

A total of 104 cases of bronchoscopically biopsy proven bronchogenic carcinoma are reviewed. Twenty-seven of 39 patients with operable lesions underwent pulmonary resection. There are seven patients with squamous cell tumors who are long-term, cancer-free survivors. The operative mortality was low at 2.3 per cent. A positive bronchoscopic biopsy should not be considered a contraindication for exploration, and an aggressive approach for squamous cell lesions seems justified.