ABSTRACT
Introduction
Lung cancer still remains undiagnosed for most patients until the disease is inoperable.
Areas covered
We performed search on PubMed with the keywords: EBUS, radial-EBUS, bronchoscopy, lung cancer, electromagnetic navigation, ct-biopsy, transthoracic biopsy. We present diagnostic equipment and imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography, endoscopical navigation systems, endobronchial ultrasound, radial-endobronchial ultrasound, transthoracic ultrasound biopsy, and computed tomography guided biopsies.
Expert opinion
However, lack of early disease symptoms remains the most important issue and therefore we should direct our efforts to screening and early disease diagnosis. An algorithm is proposed for biopsy upon initial disease diagnosis.
Article highlights
Methods for early lung cancer diagnosis
Pros and cons of the diagnostic methods
Re-biopsy, where and when
Biopsy sample of each diagnostic method
Rapid on site evaluation, where and when
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Reviewer disclosures
Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.