Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer—Are Cytologic Studies of Blood and Bone Marrow of Value?

¹ City of Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium

Blood specimens on 100 cases divided into 46 malignancies, 20 suspected of tumor disease and 34 negative controls, were carefully screened and the cellular picture designated as Class 1, 2 or 3. Of the 46 patients with known malignant disease, 23 had Class 1 blood, 17 had Class 2 and six had Class 3 blood. The 20 suspected tumor cases divided into 17 with Class 1 and three with Class 2 blood. Of the 34 negative controls, 32 were Class 1 and two had Class 2 blood. Blood screening is of limited value both in diagnosis and prognosis at the present time, but is useful in that the presence of "questionable" and "highly suggestive" forms serves to stimulate a more complete and intensive diagnostic work-up. Bone marrow preparations were less often found positive for tumor elements, but there was a better correlation with evidence of metastis.