Evaluation of various cytological examinations by bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer

• Published in: British journal of cancer 2003-11, Vol.89 (10), p.1885-1888
• Main Authors: Kawaraya, M, Gemba, K, Ueoka, H, Nishii, K, Kiura, K, Kodani, T, Tabata, M, Shibayama, T, Kitajima, T, Tanimoto, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biopsy - methods; Bronchoscopy - methods; Cancer Research; Clinical; Drug Resistance; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molecular Medicine; Oncology; Optics and Photonics; Pneumology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Surgical Instruments; Tumors; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
• ISSN: 0007-0920; 1532-1827
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601368

To improve the efficacy of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, we evaluated the effectiveness of various techniques for obtaining samples for cytological examination. Between January 1984 and December 2000, flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy under fluoroscopic guidance was performed in 1372 patients with lung cancer having no visible endoscopic findings. Histological examination of specimens obtained by forceps biopsy and cytological examinations on imprints of biopsy specimens, brushing, selective bronchial lavage, curettage, transbronchial needle aspiration, rinse fluids of the forceps, brush, curette, and aspiration needle, and all fluids aspirated during the bronchoscopic examinations were evaluated for diagnostic power. Using these techniques, the overall diagnostic rate with bronchoscopy was 93.4%. The sensitivity of the histological examination was 76.9%; additional imprint cytology increased the sensitivity to 84.8% ( P