Squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium is often associated with a history of cigarette smoking and the development of squamous cell carcinoma. Evaluating bronchial brushings, we concluded that squamous metaplasia accompanied pathological processes other than squamous cell carcinoma. During the period 1995-1996, we performed 212 bronchial brushings, finding 69 cases of metaplasia. 42 samples accompanied the following changes: 10 - small cell carcinoma, 5- adenocarcinoma, 2 - giant cell carcinoma, 3 -carcinoma of the oesophagus, 1 - carcinoid, 2 - hamartoma and 1 - angioma. The percentage of smokers and nonsmokers was statistically insignificant between the different groups. The finding of squamous metaplasia in bronchial brushings might suggest the presence of a proliferative process other than squamous cell carcinoma, especially small cell carcinoma and be an indication for further diagnostics.

Keywords: lung cancer, Diagnosis, bronchial brushing, squamous metaplasia