CT and Bronchoscopic Findings in Small Cell Lung Cancer : Relative to the Therapeutic Response

We studied the computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopic findings in 37 cases of small cell lung cancer. After 2 or 3 courses of chemotherapy, subjects were classified into two groups, those whose reduction rates were over 70% (Group I), and those under 70% (Group II). The survival period of the cases in Group I was significantly prolonged compared with that in Group II. In Group I , the foci tended to be central and the margins were almost smooth. Most cases had accompanying secondary peripheral changes, and atelectasis was relatively frequently observed. The bronchoscopic findings of these cases were often obstructive, and not only the invasive type but also the tumor forming type was observed. By contrast, in Group II, the foci were peripheral in some cases and atelectasis was rarely recognized. The margins were irregular in all cases and the irregularity was more distinctive than that in Group I. The limited disease cases which had daughter nodules showed relatively poor response. It was suggested that the response to therapy could be predicted by the CT and bronchoscopic findings in small cell lung cancer.

肺小細胞癌

胸部X線CT

気管支鏡

治療効果