role of the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma

A total of 4000 patients with radiological findings suspicious of bronchogenic carcinoma were bronchoscoped using the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. At bronchoscopy, an intrabronchial tumour was seen in 2900 patients and other findings suggestive of malignancy were seen in 712 patients. The rest of patients showed no bronchoscopic evidence of malignancy. Positive pathological results were obtained in 96% of the first group and in 70% of cases in the second group. The study proved that flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is an efficient and safe diagnostic tool on early detection of bronchogenic carcinoma