Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) is a minimally invasive technique used primarily in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Currently lung cancer is mostly considered a disease of the elderly and the management of this disease in older patients is a growing concern. In this study we aimed to assess the diagnostic yield and safety of C-TBNA in elderly patients. A retrospective review of 88 consecutive C-TBNA procedures for nodal staging in suspected or confirmed primary lung cancer or pathological confirmation in suspected advanced lung cancer was performed. Patients were divided into less than 70 (<70yrs) or 70 and older (≥70yrs) age groups for analysis. There were no significant differences either in the diagnostic yield (69% in patients aged < 70 yrs and 74% patients aged ≥ 70 yrs (p=0.5) nor in the complication rate (respectively 8.8% in patients aged < 70 yrs and 6.9% in patients aged ≥ 70 yrs (p=0.7) between the two age groups. Reported complications were minor bleeding and poor tolerance; no major complications were observed. Based on our experience, C-TBNA represents a useful and safe alternative procedure for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer in elderly patients.
CITATION STYLE
Vitale, C., Galderisi, A., Maglio, A., Laperuta, P., Di Crescenzo, R. M., Selleri, C., … Vatrella, A. (2016, January 1). Diagnostic yield and safety of C-TBNA in elderly patients with lung cancer. Open Medicine (Poland). De Gruyter Open Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2016-0084
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.