[The application of needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy in pathologic diagnosis and staging for advanced lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical application of needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy in the pathologic diagnosis and staging for advanced lung cancer.


METHODS
Ninety-four patients were diagnosed as having advanced lung cancer staged IIIa-IV by chest X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, for which a pathologic diagnosis was not made by sputum and pleural effusion cytology or bronchoscopic examination. Needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy was performed for primary lesions, mediastinal lymph nodes, metastatic lesions in the lungs and the chest wall.


RESULTS
Pathologic samples were obtained in 89 of the 94 patients by needle video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The successful rate was 95%. After operation, the pathologic diagnosis was confirmed to be lung cancer in all the 89 patients. Adenocarcinoma was found in 47 patients, squamous carcinoma in 23, adenosquamous carcinoma in 12, and small cell lung cancer in 7. Compared to the clinical diagnosis before operation, the pathologic diagnosis post-operation was changed in 15 patients. Pneumothorax and mild haemoptysis occurred in 4 patients and 2 of the cases respectively. All the patients were followed for 8 - 18 months with computed tomography and physical examination. No implantation metastasis was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy is an effective diagnostic measure for patients with advanced lung cancer for which pathologic diagnosis, typing and staging are not determined by routine examinations.
Gu
Li-jia
LJ
Department of Thoracic-Cardiac Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Wu
Yi-long
YL
Feng
Wei-neng
WN
Weng
Yi-min
YM
Cheng
Chao
C
Zhong
Wen-zhao
WZ
Huang
Shao-hong
SH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed