Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology
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Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows minimally invasive sampling of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes and has an established role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis and staging. Molecular biomarkers are being explored increasingly in lung cancer research. Gene expression profiling (GEP) is a microarray-based technology that comprehensively assesses genome-wide changes in gene expression that can provide tumour-specific molecular signatures with the potential to predict prognosis and treatment responsiveness. We assessed the feasibility of using EBUS-derived aspirates from benign and tumour-infiltrated lymph nodes for GEP. ⋯ We have demonstrated the feasibility of RNA extraction and GEP on EBUS-derived transbronchial fine needle aspirates from benign and tumour-infiltrated lymph nodes in patients with known NSCLC in routine clinical practice. Further studies on larger patient cohorts are required to identify expression profiles that robustly differentiate benign from malignant lymph nodes in NSCLC.
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To report our experience of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS)/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS) rate and outcome. ⋯ Although in this category repeat FNA is expected rather than excision, we suggest evaluation of all AUS/FLUS patients in multidisciplinary meetings to decide management and recommend follow-up of all patients with this diagnosis.