Zurklinischen Verlaufsform des kleinzelligen Bronchuscarcinoms

Zusammenfassung

Es wurde versucht, einige klinische Besonderheiten von morphologisch möglichst abgesicherten Fällen kleinzelliger Bronchuscarcinome zu erarbeiten. Es sind dies:

• a) Das Auftreten im früheren Lebensalter, verglichen mit Plattenepithel-Carcinomen.

• b) Die eindeutige Verschiedenheit der Symptome zu Beginn.

• c) Der rasante Verlauf.

• d) Die nur geringe Beeinflußbarkeit durch die Therapie.

Summary

The report is based on the observation of 60 cases of small-cell bronchus carcinoma with a largely secured morphological diagnosis. These were compared with 60 cases of cornifying squamous-cell carcinoma verified at autopsy.

An attempt was made to identify the clinical differences between small-cell bronchus carcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas.

In contrast to squamous-cell carcinoma, small-cell carcinoma was found to:

• 1. occur earlier in life;

• 2. show a female preponderance;

• 3. produce different pulmonary histories and initial symptoms;

• 4. cause inflow congestion and bronchoscopic narrowing of the bronchus indicative of early metastases;

• 5. take a fast course; no more than one fourth of the patients survive for more than one year following the onset of the first symptoms;

• 6. offer poor therapeutic prospects for surgery and cytostatic treatment; cases associated with congested cardiac inflow offer favorable prospects for symptomatic radiotherapy.