Clinical and morphological features of non-small cell lung cancer in patients with different types of histological changes to the bronchial epithelium

Lung cancer occupies the leading position in the global structure of oncological diseases. Despite significant advances in its treatment, the survival remains low. Morphological changes to the bronchial epithelium outside the tumor may provide important cues on progression of the disease in patients with lung cancer. This study aimed to identify associations between morphological and clinical features of non-small cell lung cancer and morphological changes to the epithelium in small bronchi outside the tumor. The study encompassed tumor specimens collected from 90 patients, 75 (83%) men and 15 (17%) women, diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. The average age of the patients was 67.8 ± 7.4 years. The results indicate higher frequency of lymphogenous metastasis in patients with combined basal cell hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia (BCH+SM+ group) compared to patients with isolated basal cell hyperplasia (BCH+SM– group, p = 0.05). The BCH+SM– group presented with higher rates of hematogenous metastasis compared to BCH+SM+ and BCH–SM– groups (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0019, respectively), as well as increased representation of low-differentiated structures in the primary tumors. The results suggest a commonality of parenchymal-stromal interactions in non-small cell lung cancers and their surroundings and a significant impact of these interactions on differentiation status and progression of the tumors.