Does percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy increase the risk of pleural recurrence in patients with stage I lung cancer?

Abstract

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: Does percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) increase the risk of pleural recurrence in patients with stage I lung cancer? Altogether, 298 papers were found using the reported search, of which 7 cohort studies and 1 meta-analysis represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated. Four cohort studies suggested an association between PTNB and pleural recurrence in patients with stage I lung cancer, while the other 3 cohort studies found that PTNB had no impact. One meta-analysis (the largest study) including 5 of the cohort studies above concluded that PTNB increased the risk of pleural recurrence among patients with stage I lung cancer with subpleural lesions. Based on the available evidence, it was suggested that there may be an association between PTNB and pleural recurrence in patients with stage I lung cancer, especially for patients with subpleural lesion.