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Tissue Acquisition in Patients with Suspected Lung Cancer: Techniques Available to the Pulmonologist

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Interventions in Pulmonary Medicine

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Abstract

The method of diagnosis of suspected lung cancer for the most part depends on the type of lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); the size and location of the primary tumor; the presence of metastasis; and the overall clinical status of the patient. Although it is reassuring that the accuracy of differentiating between SCLC and NSCLC generated by various diagnostic techniques is excellent [1], treatment of NSCLC now relies on accurate histopathologic diagnosis and molecular characterization of the tumor. In recent years, we have witnessed a revolution in our understanding of the molecular genotype of lung cancer, and certain molecular determinants not only guide treatment decision-making but also have a prognostic and predictive function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA

    Vikas Pathak M.D. & M. Patricia Rivera M.D.

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  1. Vikas Pathak M.D.
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  2. M. Patricia Rivera M.D.
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Correspondence to M. Patricia Rivera M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, 08907, Spain

    Jose Pablo Díaz-Jimenez

  2. Clinica Y Maternidad Colon, Pulmonary Department, Mar Del Plata, Buenos Aires, 7600, Argentina

    Alicia N. Rodriguez

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Pathak, V., Rivera, M.P. (2013). Tissue Acquisition in Patients with Suspected Lung Cancer: Techniques Available to the Pulmonologist. In: Díaz-Jimenez, J., Rodriguez, A. (eds) Interventions in Pulmonary Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6009-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6009-1_18

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