Ancillary Studies, Including Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Studies, in Lung Cytology

Fernando Schmitt; José Carlos Machado

doi:10.1016/j.path.2013.10.005

Ancillary Studies, Including Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Studies, in Lung Cytology

Surg Pathol Clin. 2014 Mar;7(1):35-46. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2013.10.005. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

Authors

Fernando Schmitt¹, José Carlos Machado²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, University Health Network Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11E-215B Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada; IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of Porto University, Rua Dr Roberto Frias S/N, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: fernando.schmitt@ipatimup.pt.
² IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of Porto University, Rua Dr Roberto Frias S/N, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.

PMID: 26839267
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2013.10.005

Abstract

The importance of cytologic techniques for investigation of respiratory conditions has been recognized since the earliest days of clinical cytology. Cytology is able to detect most of mycoses and parasitic and viral infections based on the morphologic recognition of these agents. The most relevant application of lung cytology today is in the diagnosis and management of lung cancer; approximately 70% of those cancers are diagnosed at a late stage and are unresectable. This article addresses the most common ancillary techniques, such as special stains, immunocytochemistry, and molecular testing, used to refine the cytologic diagnosis of lung cancer and to guide personalized therapy.

Keywords: ALK; EGFR; Immunohistochemistry; Lung cytology; Molecular testing.

Publication types

Review