COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CLINICORADIOLOGICAL PROFILE, BRONCHOSCOPIC APPEARANCE AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS OF LUNG CARCINOMA

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lung cancer is a significant public health concern,causing considerable number of deaths globally.The diagnostic methods for lung cancer include physical examination, imaging, bronchoscopy and histopathology examination for defining specific subtypes and molecular testing to identify specific genetic mutations or biomarkers to guide the best treatment option.To date,bronchoscopic technologies can be considered the safest and most accurate tools to evaluate both central and distal airway mucosa.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to compare the clinicoradiological profile and bronchoscopic appearance in different histologic subtypes of lung malignancies.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective observational study in 63 patients with biopsy or cytology proven lung cancer through conventional flexible and rigid bronchoscopic biopsy and bronchial wash from March 2020 to March 2023.The clinicoradiological profile and bronchoscopic appearance of lesion visualised while performing bronchoscopy were determined and compared with each other.

RESULTS: 

Among the 63 patients, majority of patients belonged to 61-80 years age group. However, carcinoid tumor was significantly common in 21-40 years age group. The main symptoms were cough, loss of weight and chest pain. 57.1% were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, 28.6 % were adenocarcinoma, 11.1% were carcinoid tumor. The most common radiological presentation was mass in 58.1% followed by non resolving consolidation in 36.5%, collapse in 34.9%.

The common bronchoscopic findings noted were an ill-defined mass in 36.5%. 20 out of the 36 patients of Squamous Cell Carcinoma had presented as an ill-defined mass on bronchoscopy.50% of the adenocarcinoma patients and 28% of Squamous Cell Carcinoma patients had bronchoscopic finding of an external compression/narrowing of lumen. All the 7 cases of carcinoid tumor had a polypoidal appearance on bronchoscopy which was significant.

CONCLUSION:

Carcinoid tumor was commonly seen in younger study population of 20-40years age group and had a classical polypoid, lobulated appearance on bronchoscopy. The physical appearance of the lesion during bronchoscopy may provide a clue to the histological subtype in lung malignancy.