Clinical Study of Bronchioloalveolar Cell Carcinoma

Choi, Jin Won; Park, Ik Soo; Kim, Jin Ho; Yoon, Ho Joo; Shin, Dong Ho; Kim, Tae Wha; Park, Sung Soo; Lee, Jung Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma today needs further studies as an early diagnosis will drastically improve the chances of cure.
METHODS
Twenty-four cases of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma for the period of 5 years were studied in terms of incidence, age, sex, underlying diseases, symptoms, radiographic findings, Methods of diagnosis, clinical and pathologic staging, Methods of treatment, and survival retrospectively.
RESULTS
No correlation was found between patients' age, sex, and underlying diseases. Most common symptoms were cough(62.5%), chest pain(29.2%), and sputum(29.2%). Of the 24 cases, 13 patients(54.2%) had solitary nodule, 6 patients(25%) had multiple nodules. At the time of diagnosis, 3 patients(12.5%) had the stage I diseases, 3 patients(12.5%) had the stage II diseases, 4 patients(16.7%) had the stage III diseases, 3 patients(12.5%) had the stage IIIb diseases, and 11 patients(45.8%) had the stage IV diseases. 14 cases(58.3%) were found inoperable at the time of admission; they all died within 17 months. In 7 cases with stage I, II, IIIa diseases curative resection were attempted, in 1 case with stage IV disease wedge resection for palliative management was performed, and in 4 cases patients were still alive at the time of Conclusion of this study.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that early diagnosis of disease will increase operability and improve chances of survival and that aggressive diagnostic workup for suspicious pulmonary infiltrate is essential as early operation offers the best chances of cure.