Malignancy Associated Changes in False Negative Sputum Specimens

Abstract

Italian

100 consecutive sputum specimens from 100 patients of this Institute with squamous and/or cylindrical cells containing hyperchromatic nuclei arrested in telophase (MAC-A) were evaluated. Retrospective analysis of clinical data revealed in 88 cases a proven malignant tumor; 6 cases were still under investigation with strong clinical evidence of lung cancer and 6 cases had no malignant tumor. In 34 cases malignant tumor cells (MTC) were found in the first sputum specimen, and in a further 17 cases MTC appeared in repeated sputa. The strong coincidence (88%) of cells with MAC-A in sputum specimens, with or without MTC, and malignant tumors, either in the respiratory tract or elsewhere is preliminary evidence for the suitability of MAC-A as a diagnostic aid. The presence of MAC-A positive cells indicates the need for further clinical search for possible occult malignancies.

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