title: Multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for the detection of lung cancer in bronchial cytology specimens: A Comparison With Routine Cytology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Routine bronchial cytology is an important diagnostic tool in suspected lung cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of LAVysion FISH assay over routine cytology for the detection of malignant bronchial cytology specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty six patients who underwent bronchoscopic examination in a period of 6 months were included. Bronchial brushing and/or washing specimens were accompanied by concurrent endobronchial biopsy and/or FNA, which were used as gold standard for diagnosis. The smears for FISH assay were made from the discarded residual fluid after being processed for routine cytology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty seven of the 46 patients were diagnosed of malignancy. For bronchial brushing specimens, the sensitivity of routine cytology and FISH for the detection of malignancy was 18% (3/17) and 35% (6/17) respectively (p = 0.08); the specificity of routine cytology and FISH was the same, 80% (8/10). For bronchial washing specimens, the sensitivity of routine cytology and FISH for the detection of malignancy was 8% (2/24) and 29% (7/24) respectively (p = 0.01); the specificity of routine cytology and FISH was the same, 94% (16/17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data shows that routine bronchial cytology appears to have a very low sensitivity for the detection of malignancy. FISH assay appears to increase the sensitivity for the detection of malignancy, but does not appear to improve it to a desirable level. A larger prospective study is necessary to further evaluate the role of FISH assay in the detection of malignancy in bronchial cytology specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: bronchial cytology; fluorescence in situ hybridization; lung cancer