A Case of in Situ Carcinoma of the Lung

A 67 year-old male was referred to us, because of positive sputum cytology for lung cancer, but without any abnormal shadow on the chest X-ray film. In spite of repeated bronchofiberoptic examinations of the entire tracheobronchial trees, it took 14 months until the lesion was found in the wall of the left basal bronchus. Histologic examination of the mucosa, which was seen to be slightly inflammed disclosed squamous cell carcinoma. Left lower lobectomy was performed and the pathological report of the specimen was in situ carcinoma. Bronchofiberscopic examinations must be repeated until localization is performed in chest X-ray-negative and sputum cytology-positive cases.