An evaluation of factors relevant to the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoma in Sri Lanka.

The incidence of bronchial carcinoma in Sri Lanka is low. The extent to which its pattern varies from that prevailing in western countries is demonstrated by a study of 84 cases diagnosed over a 10-year period. Of the patients examined 45-2 per cent were non-smokers, all 17 women belonging to this category. A negative smoking history, especially in women, was not a useful guide in assessing a suspected lesion. Adenocarcinoma, which is usually peripheral, comprised a high proportion of the tumours (22-6%). The majority of cases (70-3%) had had peripheral tumours which were beyond bronchoscopic visibility. Therefore, bronchoscopy was not as useful a diagnostic procedure as in the West. Digital clubbing was seen in less than half the males, while only two females had this sign.