HOW FREQUENTLY DO ENDOBRONCHIAL SECONDARIES OCCUR IN AN UNSELECTED SERIES

Isolated endobronchial secondaries are reported usually as single case s or in series from either specialist surgical or cancer units. The la tter two are selected populations and are not a good guide to the true frequency of occurrence of such isolated endobronchial secondaries. T he incidence of such endobronchial secondaries in a 15 yr prospective series is reported. Results of all fibre-optic bronchoscopies carried out in the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley districts from 1981 t o 1995 together with histology were recorded prospectively throughout the period. These had been audited yearly throughout, the data were co llated, and the individual records of cases of endobronchial secondari es examined. A total of 3353 bronchoscopies were carried out in the ye ars 1951-1995 inclusive. Of these, 1391 had visible endobronchial abno rmalities, from which 1059 had positive endobronchial histology. Sixte en of the 1059 (1.5%) were with endobronchial secondaries. Over the sa me period eight bronchial carcinoids (none biopsied, but later surgica lly resected) were encountered. Isolated endobronchial secondaries mad e up a higher proportion of endobronchial histology than expected at 1 .5% and were twice as frequently found as bronchial carcinoids. The po ssibility of endobronchial secondaries should always be considered in those with a history of previous carcinomas at other sites.