Radiological and pathological correlation in patients with bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma

Authors: SERPİL ÖCAL, GÜLNUR ÖNDE ÜÇOLUK, BELGİN SAMURKAŞOĞLU, FUNDA DEMİRAĞ, İLKER ETİKAN, PELİN BAYAZIT

Abstract: Aim: To assess the correlation between pathological and radiological findings in patients with pure bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the pathological and radiological findings in patients with pure BAC. Results: We reviewed the case records, pathological specimens, and computer files of 26 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of pure BAC during a 3-year period. There was a statistically significant relationship between pathological and radiological findings (X^2 = 15.143, P = 0.004). There was a correlation between mucinous pathology and diffuse pattern, as well as between non-mucinous pathology and solitary nodule/mass/cavitation. A statistically significant relationship between lymphocytic infiltration of the tumor and radiological findings was not observed (X^2 = 10.057, P = 0.122). A statistically significant relationship between the presence of sclerosis and radiological findings was observed (X^2 = 6.229, P = 0.044). In the presence of sclerosis, solitary nodule/ mass/cavitation radiological findings were seen more frequently. Conclusions: A diffuse radiological pattern was correlated with BAC mucinous subtype, while solitary nodule/mass/cavitation was correlated with non-mucinous pathology and the presence of sclerosis; however, we could not define a 100% relationship between them. In order to understand the biological nature of the disease, additional molecular and genetic studies are required.

Keywords: Lung cancer, radiology of lung cancer, pathology of lung cancer, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.

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