AUTHOR=Ofiara Linda Marie , Navasakulpong Asma , Beaudoin Stephane , Gonzalez Anne Valerie 

TITLE=Optimizing Tissue Sampling for the Diagnosis, Subtyping, and Molecular Analysis of Lung Cancer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2014.00253

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2014.00253

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Lung cancer has entered the era of personalized therapy with histologic subclassification and the presence of molecular biomarkers becoming increasingly important in therapeutic algorithms. At the same time, biopsy specimens are becoming increasingly smaller as diagnostic algorithms seek to establish diagnosis and stage with the least invasive techniques. Here, we review techniques used in the diagnosis of lung cancer including bronchoscopy, ultrasound-guided bronchoscopy, transthoracic needle biopsy, and thoracoscopy. In addition to discussing indications and complications, we focus our discussion on diagnostic yields and the feasibility of testing for molecular biomarkers such as epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase, emphasizing the importance of a sufficient tumor biopsy.</p>