Key result
Sputum cytology detects malignant cells in lymphangitic carcinomatosis without large airway invasion.
Why the study?
Can sputum cytology diagnose lymphangitic carcinoma to the lung in the absence of tumor mass invasion of large airways?
Case Report (n=1)
Can sputum cytology diagnose lymphangitic carcinoma to the lung in the absence of tumor mass invasion of large airways?
Sputum cytology may be a useful, non-invasive tool for diagnosing lymphangitic metastases to the lungs even without large airway invasion.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Hypothesis-generating for sputum cytology in lymphangitic carcinomatosis without airway invasion; prospective validation needed before clinical adoption.
Documenting lymphangitic metastases to the lungs may be therapeutically important. Several techniques have been described to this end. Sputum cytology, the least invasive and expensive, is the most available. It has a role that may be overlooked but that should be emphasized, since abundant malignant cells in sputum may be associated with this pattern of tumor spread. This case is the first, to the authors' knowledge, in which the pathologic findings associated with malignant cells in lymphangitic carcinomatosis were demonstrated in sputum in the absence of tumor mass invasion of large airways.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Shanies et al. (1995) conducted a case report in Lymphangitic carcinomatosis to the lungs (n=1). Sputum cytology was evaluated on Diagnosis of lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Sputum cytology successfully demonstrated malignant cells associated with lymphangitic carcinomatosis in the absence of tumor mass invasion of large airways.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: