The Early Recognition and Treatment of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

¹ Chief, Chest Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Coral Gables, Florida.
² Assistant Chief, Chest Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Coral Gables, Florida.
³ Attending Specialist, Veterans Administration Hospital, Coral Gables, Florida.

1) It is proposed that roentgenograms of the chest be taken on all adult members of the population at six month intervals. This can be done on all healthy individuals, on all hospital admissions, and as part of every pre-employment examination in each industry. Routine chest x-ray films should be performed on all persons seen in the physicians' offices.

2) Since lesions have been overlooked in survey examinations, it is felt that each survey film should be inspected by two competent physicians, one of whom should be a qualified radiologist. Any differences of opinion could then be mediated by appropriate consultation and studies.

3) Although great advances in the ability to diagnose bronchogenic carcinoma have been made, sole reliance on accepted principles of symptomatology and investigative technique fall far short of the immediate goal of saving the lives of the majority of patients with this condition.