Lung
General
Cytology
Author: Deepali Jain, M.D.
Last author update: 1 September 2012
Last staff update: 10 May 2021
Copyright: 2003-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Cytology lung carcinoma
Table of Contents
Definition / generalCite this page: Jain D. Cytology. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/lungtumorcytology.html. Accessed December 25th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Sputum or bronchial brushings are 80 - 90% sensitive for lung carcinoma if examine 5+ sputum samples
- Fine needle aspirate is superior to bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis of pathologic pathology (Mod Pathol 2002;15:1259)
- False positives: due to misidentification of macrophages or pneumocytes - includes bronchiectasis, fungal infections, infarct, lipoid pneumonia, postradiation changes, viral pneumonia
- False negatives: often due to sampling (Diagn Cytopathol 2012;40:556); pleural fluid cytology is often falsely negative for small cell carcinoma
- Also useful for mutation analysis (Acta Cytol 2012;56:661)
