[Pneumothorax and cancer of the lung. Apropos of 3 cases].

Abstract

A review of cases of lung cancer treated in a hospital department over a period of 6 years demonstrated the presence of an associated pneumothorax in 3 patients: in 2 cases this was the initial manifestation of the lung cancer, while in the third case it developed after the diagnosis had been established. In most of the published cases (less than 100) the lesion was already present on initial radiological images after reexpansion. In very rare cases, recurrent pneumothoraces or ones difficult to reexpand, without visible lesions on chest radiography after expansion, were provoked by a lung cancer. Because of the low incidence in this group of patients, it appears unjustified to submit them to an exhaustive search for a pulmonary neoplasm.