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General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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01-08-2021 | Bronchoscopy | Original Article

The histological diagnosis and molecular testing of lung cancer by surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions

Authors: Toru Momozane, Kaichi Shigetsu, Yukio Kimura, Hiroki Kishima, Ken Kodama

Published in: General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery | Issue 8/2021

Abstract

Objectives

Accurate histological diagnosis and molecular testing using a sufficient tumor sample of advanced lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), are crucial for precision medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions, and, in addition, overall survival after surgical biopsy.

Methods

One hundred-one patients who underwent surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions of lung cancer at our hospital between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical and pathologic records were reviewed. In addition to evaluating the oncologic safety of the surgical biopsy, the overall survival based on the biopsy results was estimated.

Results

The total number of surgical sites of the 101 patients was 131, and common biopsy sites were the lungs (82, 62.6%) followed by hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes (27, 20.6%). There were 13 postoperative complications (12.9%) without surgery-related deaths. The median time from surgical biopsy to the initiation of treatment was 27 days. Appropriate amounts of specimens for diagnosis and molecular testing were obtained from all patients (100%). When limited to treatment-naïve patients with stage IV adenocarcinoma, patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on molecular testing had a better prognosis.

Conclusions

Surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions of lung cancer may be a safe and effective method to make a definitive diagnosis, including companion diagnostics for advancing precision therapy in selected patients with inoperable advanced NSCLC.

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Title: The histological diagnosis and molecular testing of lung cancer by surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions
Authors: Toru Momozane
Kaichi Shigetsu
Yukio Kimura
Hiroki Kishima
Ken Kodama
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Keywords: Bronchoscopy
NSCLC
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
NSCLC
Lung Cancer
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Published in: General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 1863-6705
Electronic ISSN: 1863-6713
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-021-01600-w

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The histological diagnosis and molecular testing of lung cancer by surgical biopsy for intrathoracic lesions

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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