Role of Bronchoscope in Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

The Optimal Sequence of Bronchial Brushing, Forceps Biopsy and Washing for Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

The study aims to compare the diagnostic yields of bronchial brushing performed before and after forceps biopsy and bronchial wash performed before and after biopsy during flexible bronchoscopy.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in both sexes in the world. To treat the disease successfully, it should be diagnosed at the earliest possible stage. Several studies have demonstrated that early detection, localization, and aggressive treatment of lung cancer result in the 5-year survival rate of 70-80%. Nowadays, bronchoscopy is an invaluable tool for diagnosis of lung cancer and various diagnostic tools have been developed using flexible fiber-optic bronchoscopy (FOB).

Bronchoscopy, while essential for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, can give variable diagnostic yields ranging from37-77%. One reason for this variability is limitations in tissue sampling techniques, which can make it impossible to obtain the most representative area of neoplastic tissue. Numerous basic diagnostic procedures using FB, including bronchoalveolar lavage or washing, brushing, endobronchial or transbronchial biopsy(TBB), and transbronchial needle aspiration, have been evaluated in various combinations to improve the diagnostic yield of FB in patients with suspected lung cancer. However, the optimum sequence of brushing, washing and biopsy samples for diagnosing peripheral lung cancer is not clear and requires further study.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients in whom clinical findings, radiological examination suggested lung malignancy. patients with chronic cough, hemoptysis and lymph node enlargement.

Exclusion Criteria:

patients with no evidence of malignancy.