title: Optimizing tissue sampling for the diagnosis, subtyping, and molecular analysis of lung cancer.
abstract: Lung cancer has entered the era of personalized therapy with histologic subclassification and the presence of molecular biomarkers becoming increasingly important in therapeutic algorithms. At the same time, biopsy specimens are becoming increasingly smaller as diagnostic algorithms seek to establish diagnosis and stage with the least invasive techniques. Here, we review techniques used in the diagnosis of lung cancer including bronchoscopy, ultrasound-guided bronchoscopy, transthoracic needle biopsy, and thoracoscopy. In addition to discussing indications and complications, we focus our discussion on diagnostic yields and the feasibility of testing for molecular biomarkers such as epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, emphasizing the importance of a sufficient tumor biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute , Montreal, QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Linda Marie
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ofiara
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute , Montreal, QC , Canada ; Pulmonary and Respiratory Critical Care Division, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University , Hatyai , Thailand.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navasakulpong
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute , Montreal, QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beaudoin
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal Chest Institute , Montreal, QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Anne Valerie
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
keywords: EGFR; diagnosis; diagnostic yield; lung cancer; molecular biomarkers; transthoracic needle aspiration; ultrasound bronchoscopy