Bronchoscopic tissue yield for advanced molecular testing: Are we getting enough?

Abstract

The treatment of advanced lung cancer has become increasingly personalized over the past decade as a result of the improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and anti-tumor immunity. An adequate tumor sample is central to targetable mutation analysis, and immunologic profiling. The majority of lung cancer patients currently present at an advanced disease stage, so that diagnosis and staging are largely based on small biopsy and cytology specimens. Flexible bronchoscopy techniques play a prominent role in the acquisition of these diagnostic specimens. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence with regards to the role of various conventional and advanced flexible bronchoscopy techniques in acquiring sufficient tissue for mutation analysis and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) testing.