Trends in Imaging Patterns of Bronchogenic Carcinoma: Reality or a Statistical Variation? A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Analysis of Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Bronchogenic carcinoma accounts for more cancer-related deaths than any other malignancy and is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the world. Bronchogenic carcinoma is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. The objective of this study was to identify the changing trends, if any, in radiological patterns of bronchogenic carcinoma to document the various computed tomography (CT) appearances of bronchogenic carcinoma with histopathologic correlation. METHODS: This was a single-center cross-sectional study on 162 patients with clinical or radiological suspicion of bronchogenic carcinoma with histopathological confirmation of diagnosis. RESULTS: There was a male preponderance with bronchogenic carcinoma and smoking being the most common risk factor. Squamous cell carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma is the most common histologic subtype. Squamous cell carcinoma was noted to be present predominantly in the peripheral location (55.5%), and adenocarcinoma was noted to be present predominantly in the central location (68.4%). CONCLUSION: CT is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating bronchogenic carcinoma and provides for precise characterization of the size, extent, and staging of the carcinoma. Among 162 bronchogenic carcinoma cases evaluated in the current study, a definite changing trend in the radiological pattern of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was observed. Squamous cell carcinoma was predominantly noted to be a peripheral tumor, and adenocarcinoma is predominantly noted to be a central tumor. Surveillance or restaging scans are recommended, considering the high mortality rate in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.