Comparison between endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration cytology versus histology for the diagnosis of lung cancer
SM. Jo*a (Dr), YS. Parka (Prof)
a Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
* 1121jsm@gmail.com
Background: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can obtain samples for both histology and cytology results. It is known that histology is a more reliable exam for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic role of cytology in EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on adult (≥ 19 years) patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer at Seoul National University Hospital and were examined by EBUS-TBNA from May 2010 to December 2019. The histology and cytology samples were matched one to one. A total of 5492 lymph nodes were analyzed.
Results: Of the 2176 lung cancer patients, there were more males (1597, 73.4%), and smokers (1588, 73.0%). The mean age was 68 years old. The most common pathologic subtype was adenocarcinoma (51.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (29.8%), other non-small cell lung cancer (10.0%), and small cell lung cancer (8.3%). The 4R lymph node (1644, 29.9%) was the most common aspiration site, followed by the subcarinal 7 lymph node (1608, 29.3%).
The discrepancies between the cytology and histology were 10.8%. However, in 130 (3.4%) nodes showing negative or insufficient results in histology, malignant cells were observed in cytology slides.
Conclusion:The cytology of EBUS-TBNA have diagnostic power in lung cancer.
Disclosure of funding source(s): none