Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Although the incidence of cigarette smoking is decreasing in the United States it appears to be increasing worldwide. The five-year survival rate has not improved in cases with advanced disease, but several articles have indicated that survival can be improved in cases diagnosed early by sputum cytology and chest x-ray. In cases diagnosed while the lesion is in the in-situ stage or measures less than 1 cm in diameter, surgical excision and/or radiation therapy improves survival; therefore, the early diagnosis of high-risk patients should be vigorously pursued. A recent study at a community hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, presented 45 lung cancer cases diagnosed with positive sputum cytology and negative chest x-ray, and indicates that early diagnosis does improve survival. This study has been conducted during the past six years; 16 cases have survived three years and six cases show five-year survival.
[1]
N. J. Pressman,et al.
Sputum cytopathology: use and potential in monitoring the workplace environment by screening for biological effects of exposure.
,
1986,
Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.
[2]
M. V. van’t Hof,et al.
Sputum cytology by the saccomanno method in diagnosing lung malignancy
,
1985,
Diagnostic cytopathology.
[3]
R. E. Thoma,et al.
Interstitial photoradiation therapy for primary solid tumors in pet cats and dogs.
,
1981,
Cancer research.
[4]
D. Cortese,et al.
Hematoporphyrin-Derivative Fluorescence for Lung Cancer Localization
,
1981
.