bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma
Pronunciation: brong-kee-oh-loh-al-VEE-oh-lar
Also written as: BAC — Bronchioloalveolar Cell Carcinoma
A former histological classification for lung adenocarcinoma with distinctive growth patterns, now reclassified under the 2011 WHO guidelines.
Full Definition
Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (BAC) was previously used to describe a subtype of lung adenocarcinoma characterized by growth along pre-existing alveolar structures without invasion of stroma, blood vessels, or pleura. The 2011 WHO classification system replaced this term with more precise categories including adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma with lepidic predominant pattern. Understanding this terminology evolution is crucial for accurate reporting and interpretation of older literature.
Usage
Usage note: This term is now considered obsolete in current practice; use current WHO terminology instead.
In Context
- "The pathology report from 2009 diagnosed bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma, which would now be classified as adenocarcinoma in situ." — Pathology revision note
- "Historical cases of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma require reinterpretation under current WHO guidelines." — Research methodology