Bronchoalveolar carcinoma
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-in-Chief: Khuram Nouman, M.D. [2]
Overview
- Lung cancer the leading cause of cancer related death in the world.
- Bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) was first described by Malassez in 1876 as a bilateral,multinodular malignant pulmonary carcinoma. " Bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma" term was first coined by Leibow in 1960 due to confusion over cell type.
- BAC was use as a term in 1999 and 2004 WHO classification for a broad range of tumors including single small non-invasive peripheral lung tumor, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, mixed subtype invasive adenocarcinoma, mucinous and nonmucinous subtypes that are previously known as BAC and advanced type with invasion and poor prognosis.
- The 1999 WHO classification was largely based on histologic characteristics, the 2004 revised classification in addition to histological factors took other factors like genetic and clinical factors into consideration but these two classification continue to use the term BAC.
- Later, in 2011 IASLC in collaboration with other lung societies introduced a new classification based on multidisciplinary approach to avoid the confusion related to use of BAC for broad range of tumors. Bronchoalveolar carcinoma is a preinvasive carcinoma with no stromal,vascular and pleural invasion.
- Adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung are the relatively new terms that were introduced in 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERS classifications for bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC).
- BAC is usually asymptomatic but may present with cough, hemoptysis, chest pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.
- It is a rare pulmonary tumor and the incidence for BAC varies from 4-24% of all the primary lung malignancies.
- Surgery is the mainstay of treatment but mucinous type respond very well to chemotherapy because of genetic associations.
- The five year survival rate for surgically resected tumor is 100%.
Historical Perspective
- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma was first described by Malassez in 1876 as a bilateral, multinodular type of malignant lung carcinoma.
- The term "Bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma" was first introduced by Liebow in 1960 due to confusion over true cell type.It comes from two cell types. columnar epithelium similar to bronchial cells and cuboidal type reminiscent of type 2 pneumocytes.
- In [year], [gene] mutations were first identified in the pathogenesis of [disease name].
- In [year], the first [discovery] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].
Classification
- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma may be classified according to pathology into fo subtypes/groups:
- Pathology of lung adenocarcinomas according to previous 2004 WHO and current IASLC/ATS/ERS classifications[1]
| 2004 WHO classification |
| Mixed subtype |
| Acinar |
| Papillary |
| BAC |
| Non mucinous |
| Mucinous |
| Mixed |
| Solid adenocarcinoma |
| Colloid |
| Fetal |
| Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma |
| Signet-ring |
| Clear-cell |
| Major changes in the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification |
| Discontinuation of the term BAC |
| Discontinuation of the mixed subtype |
| Comprehensive pathologic subtyping in 5% increments and classification of adenocarcinomas according to the predominant subtype |
| Introduction of AIS and MIA as new entities |
| Introduction of micropapillary adenocarcinoma as a predominant subtype |
| Introduction of lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma and lepidic growth as new terminologies |
| Exclusion of signet-ring and clear cell adenocarcinomas |
| IASLC/ATS/ERS classification |
| Pre-invasive lesions |
| Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia |
| AIS |
| Non-mucinous |
| Mucinous |
| Mixed |
| MIA |
| Non-mucinous |
| Mucinous |
| Mixed |
| Invasive adenocarcinomas |
| Lepidic predominant |
| Acinar predominant |
| Papillary predominant |
| Micropapillary predominant |
| Solid predominant with mucin production |
| Variants of invasive adenocarcinomas |
| IMA |
| Colloid |
| Fetal |
| Enteric |
WHO, World Health Organization; IASLC, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer; ATS, American Thoracic Society; ERS, European Respiratory Society; BAC, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma; AIS, adenocarcinoma in situ; MIA, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma; IMA, invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma.
Pathophysiology
- The pathogenesis of [disease name] is characterized by [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3].
- The [gene name] gene/Mutation in [gene name] has been associated with the development of [disease name], involving the [molecular pathway] pathway.
- On gross pathology, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, [feature1], [feature2], and [feature3] are characteristic findings of [disease name].
Clinical Features
Differentiating Bronchoalveolar carcinoma from other Diseases
- BAC must be differentiated from other diseases that cause cough, hemoptysis, and solitary nodule on X-Ray such as:
- Malignant and benign lesion
- Inflammatory
- Congenital
- miscellaneous
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Bronchoalveolar carcinoma is a rare tumor, the incidence of BAC vary from 4-24% of all the primary lung malignancies. More newer studies suggest Adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive carcinoma constitutes 2-14% of all the primary types of lung cancers.
Age
- Patients of all age groups may develop BAC.
- BAC is more commonly observed among patients of middle aged group.
Gender
- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma affects men and women disproportionately.
- Women are more commonly affected with bronchoalveolar carcinoma than men.
Race
- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma usually affects individuals of the Asian race.
Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of BAC are Asian race, women gender, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
- Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally good, and the 5 survival rate of patients with BAC is approximately
- Prognosis of BAC depends on the histologic type. Non-mucinous AIS has better prognosis than mucinous type AIS.
- Mixed type has far worse survival rate than either of the monophasic form.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
- The diagnostic criteria for bronchoalveolar carcinoma have changed over time.According to new 2011 IASLC/ATS recommendations, adopted in the 2015 WHO guidelines, use the following criteria for bronchoalveolar carcinoma
- Localized small tumor < 3 cm
- pure "lepidic growth"
- No stromal, vascular or pleural invasion
- Nuclear atypia absent/minimal in both mucinous/non-mucinous AIS
- Septal broadening with sclerosis (non-mucinous type)
- No spread through air spaces
Symptoms
- Bronchoalveolar carcinoma is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of BAC may include the following:
- Cough
- Sputum
- Hemoptysis
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- loss of appetite
- Repeated Lung infections like pneumonia and bronchitis
Physical Examination
- Patients with BAC usually appear [general appearance].
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [finding 1]
- [finding 2]
- [finding 3]
- [finding 4]
- [finding 5]
- [finding 6]
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
- A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
Imaging Findings
- There are three radiologic findings associated with bronchoalveolar carcinoma are,
- Solitary nodule- most common
- Consolidation
- multinodular opacities
- The nodular form is the commonest and can not be differentiated from other adenocarcinoma subtypes on plain X-ray.
- CT scan is imaging modality of the choice for bronchoalveolar carcinoma.
- Non-Mucinous BAC: It appears as solid nodule surrounded by ground glass opacification- Fried egg sign
- Mucinous BAC: It appears as single solid nodule.
-
CXR- Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma
-
CT SCAN: Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma
-
CT SCAN: Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma
Other Diagnostic Studies
- BAC may also be differentiated from invasive adenocarcinoma by using magnetic resonance imaging.
- Image guided per-cutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy or core biopsy can be used to get molecular characteristic of the tumor.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- Non-Mucinous BAC responds well to targeted chemotherapy like epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors erlotinib and gefitinib.
- Patient with non-resectable tumor can benefit from erlotinib and gefitinib than other subtypes of non small cell lung carcinoma.
- Mucinous BAC are highly associated with K-RAS mutation and wild-type EGFR and does not respond well to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for bronchoalveolar carcinoma.
- Pneumonectomy or lobectomy in conjunction with ipsilateral lymphadenectomy is the most common approach to the treatment of BAC.
Prevention
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of Lung cancer include smoking cessation, avoid passive smoking, and taking precautionary measures to avoid exposure to harmful particles in work places.
Lung cancer Screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening with low density CT Scan for people who has history of,
- Have a 30 pack per year or more smoking history, and
- Current smoker or left smoking within the past 15 years, and
- Are aged between 55 and 80 years old.
See also, Lung cancer screening Lung Cancer Screening Decision Tool
References
- ↑ . doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.01.27. Missing or empty
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