title: Non-small-cell lung carcinoma subtyping on cytology without the use of immunohistochemistry - can we meet the challenge?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent advances in lung carcinoma therapy have led to a new emphasis on the subtyping of non-small-cell carcinomas of the lung which has led pathologists to readdress the approach to small biopsies and cytology in lung cancer diagnosis. A minimum use of specimens for an accurate diagnosis and to preserve as much tissue as possible for potential molecular markers has been recommended.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we blind-reviewed 50 cases of cytologically diagnosed non-small-cell type lung carcinomas and categorized them into adenocarcinoma and squamous-cell carcinoma based on cytological features alone. Only those cases that had had a histological follow-up were selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On blind review, a definitive categorization of non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung was made in 28 of 29 cases of adenocarcinomas and in 14 of 19 squamous-cell carcinomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When attempted, most cases of well-to-moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas can be identified based on cytological features alone. Poorly differentiated squamous-cell carcinomas are more likely to be called non-small-cell carcinomas.
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Vasha.Manucha@tuhs.temple.edu
authors: Varsha
authors: V
authors: Manucha
authors: Congli
authors: C
authors: Wang
authors: Yajue
authors: Y
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies