Bronchogenic Carcinoma in East Pakistan

¹ Professor of Clinical Medicine, Dacca Medical College, Dacca, Pakistan.

1) Clinical data obtained from 20 cases of bronchogenic carcinoma observed during 18 months in Dacca Medical College Hospital, East Pakistan, have been analyzed.

2) Eighteen of these cases hailed from rural areas, where few tarred roads and automobiles are to be found. In most of the cases heavy smoking was not a factor.

3) Cough, dyspnoea, pain in the chest or haemoptysis in a person aged 40 years or above, should arouse suspicion of bronchogenic carcinoma and entail prompt and thorough investigation.

4) Cancer-consciousness on the part of the physician was found to be the determining factor in the diagnosis of these cases.

5) The series serves to bring out the fact that bronchogenic carcinoma is prevalent in East Pakistan to a significant degree. In the absence of reliable previous data its trend could not be determined. Further study of the disease is, therefore, of the utmost importance particularly with reference to etiologic or contributory factors other than tar or cigarette smoking.