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Changing utilization of cytopathology versus histopathology in the diagnosis of lung cancer
Author(s) -
Fraire Armando E.,
McLarty Jerry W.,
Greenberg S. Donald
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840070407
Subject(s) - cytopathology , medicine , histopathology , lung cancer , fine needle aspiration , biopsy , pneumonectomy , radiology , surgery , pathology , cytology
We studied the utilization rates of 1) cytopathology procedures [sputum, fine‐needle aspirates (FNA), bronchial washings and brushings] versus 2) histopathology procedures (bronchial biopsies, lymph node biopsies, lobectomies, pneumonectomies) in the diagnosis of lung cancer, over two time periods (1967/1987). Comparisons were made in the utilization rates of these two diagnostic procedures in two groups of 100 patients each. Statistically significant changes included 1) an increase of cytopathology procedures, as the sole means of diagnosis; 2) an increase in FNAs; 3) an increased percentage of positive cytopathologic diagnosis: and 4) a decrease of major surgical procedures (lobectomy, pneumonectomy), as means of initial pathologic diagnosis. This study provides data supporting the trend of decreasing surgical procedures for initial diagnosis of lung cancer, with greater, more efective utilization of cytopathologic (particularly FNA) procedures.