Chromosomes in bronchoscopic biopsies.From patients with bronchial adenoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, and from heavy smokers

Evidence in the literature suggests that chromosomal aberration may precede histologic change as the initial sign of malignant transformation. To test this important concept as it relates to benign, premalignant, and malignant pulmonary lesions, bronchoscopic biospy specimens were studied. In 6 smokers, and 1 patient with a bronchial adenoma, and 7 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchoscopic biopsies were obtained and subjected to the squash technique to release spreads of chromosomes. In the chronic smokers, varied stages of hyperplasia were present in the instrumental biopsies, however, no mitoses were found. Chromosomal aneuploidy marked the bronchial adenoma and all of the karyotypable bronchogenic carcinomas.