DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES IN OBTAINING PATHOLOGICAL MATERIALS FOR PULMONARY NODULES DUE TO PRIMARY LUNG-CANCER

This study analyzed the diagnostic procedures of 391 patients with a p ulmonary nodule due to lung cancer encountered in the practice from 19 87 to 1997. Transbronchial biopsy and cytological procedures under fib eroptic bronchoscopy made a diagnosis in 329 (84.1%) of the patients. In 266 patients with endoscopically invisible tumor, transbronchial bi opsy gave a positive result in 74.1% and the rest were diagnosed by cy tological procedures. Transbronchial biopsy with cytological procedure s should be considered as the initial diagnostic procedure. The most a ppropriate method and combining methods can improve the diagnostic yie ld in patients with pulmonary nodules.