What are the pathological characteristics of central lung cancer

Primary bronchial carcinoma is referred to as lung cancer. It mainly originates from the bronchial mucosa or glands. Central lung cancer is more common, accounting for about 3/4. It originates from the main bronchi and lobar bronchi, close to the hilum of the lung. The pathological morphology of central lung cancer depends on the growth pattern of the tumor:

Intraductal type: Intraductal lung cancer is also mainly squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor grows from the surface of the bronchial mucosa to the lumen. The tumor is papillary, polyp or cauliflower-like. As the tumor continues to infiltrate, it can gradually cause bronchial obstruction. Patients mainly present with cough and wheezing.

Tube wall type: Tumors grow along the bronchial wall, causing the bronchial wall to thicken to varying degrees; cancerous tumors can grow infiltratingly along the bronchial wall, causing the wall to thicken slightly. Long-term influence of the tumor can cause the wall to thicken significantly, causing varying degrees of stenosis in the lumen, and even obstruction in severe cases. This can cause breathing difficulties or even suffocation in patients.

Extrabronchial type: The cancer penetrates the bronchial adventitia and forms a mass outside the bronchial wall. As the tumor grows, the bronchus becomes narrowed or blocked, and then a series of obstructive changes occur:

1. Obstructive pulmonary emphysema appears first, usually early in life. Depending on the site of tumor invasion, it may be emphysema of a lung segment or lobe.

2. Tracheal obstruction can lead to pneumonia, and the bronchi may become infected due to poor drainage. Microscopic observation shows that the lesions are lobular fusion lesions or are distributed according to lung segments and lobes.

3. Bronchiectasis is caused by bronchial obstruction, which leads to poor discharge of mucosal retention in the bronchus, which widens the tracheal diameter over time. Obstructive pneumonia and bronchiectasis can usually coexist, and can also be combined with atelectasis, which eventually leads to pulmonary insufficiency.