question

[Patkid]

What does BAC stand for, please?

Thanks.

[dadstimeon]

Hi, It's what I have. A little info on it. Coming up on 3 years in May and plan on beating it.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a subtype of adenocarcinoma and represents 2-6% of all lung cancers.It typically arises distal to the terminal bronchioles and spreads along the preexisting alveolar septa without causing significant amounts of lung destruction.This is known as a lepidic growth pattern.

Histologically, the tumors are well-differentiated, with a peg-like cellular growth along alveolar walls.The cells secrete mucin and surfactant apoprotein.This can lead to bronchorrhea which is an excessive discharge of mucus from the air passages of the lungs.Although bronchioloalveolar carcinoma usually spreads through the airways, it may also metastasize by lymphatic and hematogenous routes.Due to this growth pattern, the metastatic and local invasive potential of this tumor is unpredictable.Consequently, histological findings are not useful in predicting survival.Unlike other adenocarcinomas, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma often develops multifocally.Patients with extensive consolidation or multifocal disease have a poor prognosis.The lepidic growth pattern may result in lesions of heterogeneous radiologic opacity.In a few cases the tumor resembles lobar pneumonia, and this pattern also has a poor prognosis.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma can manifest as a single peripheral nodule or mass usually in the upper lung.Most commonly, this nodule is well-circumscribed.This form of tumorhas a better prognosis for surgical resection.However, because of the multifocal nature of this disease, patients should be carefully evaluated for other disease before considering surgical resection.