title: Diagnostic procedures for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): recommendations of the European Expert Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is currently no Europe-wide consensus on the appropriate preanalytical measures and workflow to optimise procedures for tissue-based molecular testing of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To address this, a group of lung cancer experts (see list of authors) convened to discuss and propose standard operating procedures (SOPs) for NSCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on earlier meetings and scientific expertise on lung cancer, a multidisciplinary group meeting was aligned. The aim was to include all relevant aspects concerning NSCLC diagnosis. After careful consideration, the following topics were selected and each was reviewed by the experts: surgical resection and sampling; biopsy procedures for analysis; preanalytical and other variables affecting quality of tissue; tissue conservation; testing procedures for epidermal growth factor receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase and ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) in lung tissue and cytological specimens; as well as standardised reporting and quality control (QC). Finally, an optimal workflow was described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suggested optimal procedures and workflows are discussed in detail. The broad consensus was that the complex workflow presented can only be executed effectively by an interdisciplinary approach using a well-trained team.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To optimise diagnosis and treatment of patients with NSCLC, it is essential to establish SOPs that are adaptable to the local situation. In addition, a continuous QC system and a local multidisciplinary tumour-type-oriented board are essential.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dietel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bubendorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie C
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dingemans
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Division, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dooms
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elmberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa Calero
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: Aberdeen University Medical School, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Academic Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Dianas Terapéuticas, Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Ríos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thunnissen
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Van Schil
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Laffert
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D012955:Societies, Medical
keywords: Histology/Cytology; Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer