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Vol.37 No.4 contents | Japanese/English |
- Case Report -
Four Surgically Treated Cases of Lung Cancer Contiguous to Emphysematous Bullae
Shuhei Inoue, Satoru Sawai, Noriaki Tezuka, Keiichi Kontani, Shozo Fujino and Hirofumi KatoSecond Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science
All 4 patients with lung cancer contiguous to emphysematous bullae were treated by lobectomy and were examined to evaluate the clinical findings and roentgenopathological correlation. The 4 cases were all males with a median age of 60 (range 38-68) years and were all heavy smokers (Brinkman Index=450-2000). The histological type of the carcinomas were well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in one (Stage IIIA) and Stage I adenocarcinoma (1 poorly differentiated tubular, 1 moderately differentiated tubular, 1 well differentiated papillary) in three. All cases are alive 5-15 months after operation without recurrence. Patients with associated emphysematous bullae and lung cancer have generally been at an advanced stage and had poor prognosis. However, intensive examinations (chest X-ray and CT) are useful for the early detection of lung cancer contiguous to emphysematous bullae. Prognosis is good if curative operation can be performed.
key words: Bullous emphysema, Lung cancer
Received: November 27, 1996
Accepted: May 9, 1997
JJLC 37 (4): 537-546, 1997
