Sputum Cytology Research Articles

Innovations in bronchoscopic techniques will go a long way for diagnosis of early-stage lung cancers

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide (1). In China, the morbidity and mortality rates of lung cancer have been increasing over the past decades along with the worsening environment (2) and concerning situation of tobacco use (3). Imaging studies and sputum cytology as the conventional diagnostic approaches for lung cancer, are in fact very limited for detecting the early-stage lesions, and therefore do not help reduce the death toll. A number of clinical practice guidelines have recommended bronchoscopy as an important common tool for diagnosis of primary lung cancers (PLCs) (4). The direct vision of bronchoscopy enables brush and puncture biopsies, and performing bronchoalveolar lavage for cytological and histological diagnosis, which contributes to significant improvement in detection rate, and ultimately, to early identification, early diagnosis and early treatment of lung cancers. With the advance and refinement in molecular biology, endoscopic and imaging techniques, current practice with bronchoscopic examination has been recognized to remarkably enhance clinical diagnosis of lung cancer, and have an extraordinary role in improving the prognosis and survival rate of patients. This article reviews the use of several diagnostic modalities related to bronchoscopic techniques in individuals with high risk for lung cancers.

Bronchiectasis: a bacteriological profile.

The occurrence of bronchiectasis can involve a combination of many environmental factors, including infection. The aim of our work is to determine the bacteriological profile of bronchiectasis. This is a retrospective study of 100 patients hospitalized in between January 2010 and July 2013. The average age was 48 years with a 58% female predominance. Symptomatology was by a bronchial syndrome in 90% of cases. Bacteriological examination was able to isolate the microbe in 35% of cases. In our study it was through the examination of sputum cytology in 27% of cases, through the examination of liquid bronchial aspiration in 5% of cases, and through direct examination of sputum in search of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 3% of cases. Microbes isolated were: Streptococcus pneumonia in 11 cases; Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 10 cases, Klebsiella pneumonia and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 3 cases each; Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter spp, Serratia marcescens, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus in one case each. Through this work, the authors highlight that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most commonly- identified microbes in their patients. It is necessary to have a full bacterial examination and to repeat it regularly over the course of the bronchiectasis.

Lung cancer screening: history, current perspectives, and future directions.

Lung cancer has remained the leading cause of death worldwide among all cancers. The dismal 5-year survival rate of 16% is in part due to the lack of symptoms during early stages and lack of an effective screening test until recently. Chest X-ray and sputum cytology were studied extensively as potential screening tests for lung cancer and were conclusively proven to be of no value. Subsequently, a number of studies compared computed tomography (CT) with the chest X-ray. These studies did identify lung cancer in earlier stages. However, they were not designed to prove a reduction in mortality. Later trials have focused on low-dose CT (LDCT) as a screening tool. The largest US trial – the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) – enrolled approximately 54,000 patients and revealed a 20% reduction in mortality. While a role for LDCT in lung cancer screening has been established, the issues of high false positive rates, radiation risk, and cost effectiveness still need to be addressed. The guidelines of the international organizations that now include LDCT in lung cancer screening are reviewed. Other methods that may improve earlier detection such as positron emission tomography, autofluorescence bronchoscopy, and molecular biomarkers are also discussed.

Wait Times Experienced by Lung Cancer Patients in the BC Southern Interior to Obtain Oncologic Care: Exploration of the Intervals from First Abnormal Imaging to Oncologic Treatment.

Background: Lung cancer is associated with rapid disease progression, which can significantly progress over a duration of four to eight weeks. This study examines the time interval lung cancer patients from the interior of British Columbia (BC) experience while undergoing diagnostic evaluation, biopsy, staging, and preparation for treatment.Methods: A chart review of lung cancer patients (n=231) referred to the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the Southern Interior between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 was performed. Time zero was defined as the date of the first abnormal chest imaging. Time intervals, expressed as median averages, to specialist consult, biopsy, oncologic referral, initial oncology consultation, and commencement of oncologic treatment were obtained.Results: The median time interval from first abnormal chest imaging to a specialist consultation was 18 days (interquartile range, IQR, 7-36). An additional nine days elapsed prior to biopsy in the form of bronchoscopy, CT-guided biopsy, or sputum cytology (median; IQR, 3-21); if lobectomy was required, 18 days elapsed (median; IQR, 9-28). Eight days were required for pathologic diagnosis and subsequent referral to the cancer centre (median; IQR, 3-16.5). Once referral was received, 10 days elapsed prior to consultation with either a medical or radiation oncologist (median, IQR 5-18). Finally, eight days was required for initiation of radiation and/or chemotherapy (median; IQR, 1-15). The median wait time from detection of lung cancer on imaging to oncologic treatment in the form of radiation and/or chemotherapy was 65.5 days (IQR, 41.5-104.3). Interpretation: Patients in the BC Southern Interior experience considerable delays in accessing lung cancer care. During this time, the disease has the potential to significantly progress and it is possible that a subset of patients may lose their opportunity for curative intent treatment.

The Cell-CT 3-dimensional cell imaging technology platform enables the detection of lung cancer using the noninvasive LuCED sputum test.

The war against cancer has yielded important advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of certain cancer types, but the poor detection rate and 5-year survival rate for lung cancer has changed little over the past 40 years. Early detection through emerging lung cancer screening programs promise the most reliable means of improving mortality. Sputum cytology has been tried without success because sputum contains few malignant cells that are difficult for cytologists to detect. However, research has shown that sputum contains diagnostic malignant cells and could serve as a means of lung cancer detection if those cells could be detected and correctly characterized. Recently, the National Lung Screening Trial reported that screening using 3 consecutive low-dose x-ray computed tomography scans provides a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality compared with chest x-ray. However, this reduction in mortality comes with an unacceptable false-positive rate that increases patient risks and the overall cost of lung cancer screening. The LuCED test for detection of early lung cancer is reviewed in the current article. LuCED is based on patient sputum that is enriched for bronchial epithelial cells. The enriched sample is then processed on the Cell-CT, which images cells in 3 dimensions with submicron resolution. Algorithms are applied to the 3-dimensional cell images to extract morphometric features that drive a classifier to identify cells that have abnormal characteristics. The final status of these candidate abnormal cells is established by the pathologist's manual review. LuCED promotes accurate cell classification that could enable the cost-effective detection of lung cancer.

Lung transthoracic ultrasound elastography imaging and guided biopsies of subpleural cancer: a preliminary report.

Despite the usefulness of elastography in assessing the stiffness/elasticity of tissues, and its proven diagnostic accuracy in thyroid, breast, and prostate cancers, among others, it is not yet applied in transthoracic ultrasound (TUS) scans to investigate lung nodules. To investigate the potential clinical utility of TUS elastography in diagnosing lung cancer proven by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). TUS elastography was performed in 95 consecutive patients (71 men, 24 women; age, 62.84 ± 7.37 years) with lesions suspected of involving the chest wall or the pleura detected on chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT). Patients with pleural effusions were not enrolled, but were further evaluated by pleural fluid cytology. Patients were excluded from the study if a diagnosis had already been made based on sputum cytology and/or bronchoscopic histology (making TUS biopsy unnecessary) or if their lung lesions could not be visualized under standard US. Under FNAB, 34 consolidations were ascribed to pneumonia and 65 to cancer. Under TUS, tissue stiffness, detected using a convex multifrequency 2-8-mHz probe and a MyLab™Twice - ElaXto, was scored from 1 (greatest elasticity) to 5 (no elasticity). Subpleural solid masses (2-5 cm) were initially detected by TUS and subsequently assessed by FNAB. Histological diagnoses were: small cell lung cancer (4/61), adenocarcinoma (29/61), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (12/61), large cell lung carcinoma (12/61), and lymphomas (4/61). Patients' age and mass sizes (3.06 ± 0.88 cm) were not significantly associated with any histological type. A significant lower elasticity of SCC (4.67 ± 0.492) was observed versus other types of lung cancer (P < 0.005), and versus pneumonia (2.35 ± 0.48). Since only squamous cell lung carcinoma displays the feature of significantly reduced elasticity, and since no clear-cut diagnostic key is yet available, the clinical usefulness of TUS elastography is currently limited with a view to characterizing tumors. Nevertheless, it does enable good non-invasive imaging of lung nodules, providing information on their stiffness, and can improve the accuracy and yield of FNAB.

An official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report: presentations and discussion of the fifth Jack Pepys Workshop on Asthma in the Workplace. Comparisons between asthma in the workplace and non-work-related asthma.

The fifth Jack Pepys Workshop on Asthma in the Workplace focused on the similarities and differences of work-related asthma (WRA) and non-work-related asthma (non-WRA). WRA includes occupational asthma (OA) and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). There are few biological differences in the mechanisms of sensitization to environmental and occupational allergens. Non-WRA and OA, when due to high-molecular-weight agents, are both IgE mediated; it is uncertain whether OA due to low-molecular-weight agents is also IgE mediated. Risk factors for OA include female sex, a history of upper airway symptoms, and a history of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Atopy is a risk factor for OA due to high-molecular-weight agents, and exposure to cleaning agents is a risk factor for both OA and non-WRA. WEA is important among workers with preexisting asthma and may overlap with irritant-induced asthma, a type of OA. Induced sputum cytology can confirm airway inflammation, but specific inhalation challenge is the reference standard diagnostic test. Inhalation challenges are relatively safe, with the most severe reactions occurring with low-molecular-weight agents. Indirect health care costs account for about 50% of total asthma costs. Workers with poor asthma control (WRA or non-WRA) are less likely to be employed. Income loss is a major contributor to the indirect costs of WRA. Overall, asthma outcomes probably are worse for adult-onset than for childhood-onset asthma but better for OA than adult-onset non-WRA. Important aspects of management of OA are rapid and proper confirmation of the diagnosis and reduction of exposure to sensitizers or irritants at work and home.

Tissue hyaluronan expression, as reflected in the sputum of lung cancer patients, is an indicator of malignancy.

Hyaluronan (HA) shows promise for detecting cancerous change in pleural effusion and urine. However, there is uncertainty about the localization of HA in tumor tissue and its relationship with different histological types and other components of the extracellular matrix, such as angiogenesis. We evaluated the association between HA and degree of malignancy through expression in lung tumor tissue and sputum. Tumoral tissue had significantly increased HA compared to normal tissue. Strong HA staining intensity associated with cancer cells was significant in squamous cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. A significant direct association was found between tumors with a high percentage of HA and MVD (microvessel density) in tumoral stroma. Similarly significant was the direct association between N1 tumors and high levels of HA in cancer cells. Cox multivariate analysis showed significant association between better survival and low HA. HA increased in sputum from lung cancer patients compared to cancer-free and healthy volunteers and a significant correlation was found between HA in sputum and HA in cancer tissue. Localization of HA in tumor tissue was related to malignancy and reflected in sputum, making this an emerging factor for an important diagnostic procedure in patients suspected to have lung cancer. Further study in additional patients in a randomized prospective trial is required to finalize these results and to validate our quantitative assessment of HA, as well as to couple it to gold standard sputum cytology.

Monitoring asthma in childhood: lung function, bronchial responsiveness and inflammation.

This review focuses on the methods available for measuring reversible airways obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and inflammation as hallmarks of asthma, and their role in monitoring children with asthma. Persistent bronchial obstruction may occur in asymptomatic children and is considered a risk factor for severe asthma episodes and is associated with poor asthma outcome. Annual measurement of forced expiratory volume in 1 s using office based spirometry is considered useful. Other lung function measurements including the assessment of BHR may be reserved for children with possible exercise limitations, poor symptom perception and those not responding to their current treatment or with atypical asthma symptoms, and performed on a higher specialty level. To date, for most methods of measuring lung function there are no proper randomised controlled or large longitudinal studies available to establish their role in asthma management in children. Noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring inflammation in children are available, for example the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide fraction, and the assessment of induced sputum cytology or inflammatory mediators in the exhaled breath condensate. However, their role and usefulness in routine clinical practice to monitor and guide therapy remains unclear, and therefore, their use should be reserved for selected cases.

Analysis of small nucleolar RNAs in sputum for lung cancer diagnosis

Molecular analysis of sputum presents a noninvasive approach for diagnosis of lung cancer. We have shown that dysregulation of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) plays a vital role in lung tumorigenesis. We have also identified six snoRNAs whose changes are associated with lung cancer. Here we investigated if analysis of the snoRNAs in sputum could provide a potential tool for diagnosis of lung cancer. Using qRT-PCR, we determined expressions of the six snoRNAs in sputum of a training set of 59 lung cancer patients and 61 cancer-free smokers to develop a biomarker panel, which was validated in a testing set of 67 lung cancer patients and 69 cancer-free smokers for the diagnostic performance. The snoRNAs were robustly measurable in sputum. In the training set, a panel of two snoRNA biomarkers (snoRD66 and snoRD78) was developed, producing 74.58% sensitivity and 83.61% specificity for identifying lung cancer. The snoRNA biomarkers had a significantly higher sensitivity (74.58%) compared with sputum cytology (45.76%) (P < 0.05). The changes of the snoRNAs were not associated with stage and histology of lung cancer (All P >0.05). The performance of the biomarker panel was confirmed in the testing cohort. We report for the first time that sputum snoRNA biomarkers might be useful to improve diagnosis of lung cancer.

Early detection of central lung cancer: are we there yet?

Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and X-rays have been very disappointing in the detection and diagnosis of central (airways/endobronchial) lesions. Bronchoscopy with direct visualization and other supportive technologies has been the primary tool for the detection and surveillance of endobronchial precancerous and cancerous lesions. Early detection of lung cancer allows early interventions which has a survival benefit as shown by a 20% relative decrease in lung cancer specific mortality with low-dose computed tomography screening and high-risk groups [1]. CT screening of the thorax is able to detect lesions that are peripheral, central, and sub centimeter, however it is insensitive for detection of precancerous and early small cancerous lesions arising from the airways. The pathological progression from normal bronchogenic epithelium to squamous metaplasia followed by dysplasia and finally carcinoma in situ(CIS) is supported by sputum cytology studies as well as animal data [2,3], however other models such as multiple foci of precursor lesions that are produced throughout the respiratory epithelium may develop into carcinoma in situ as opposed to a stepwise progression of a single area [4]. Regardless, prompt detection of high-risk patients that offers early diagnosis of preinvasive lesions could allow for early intervention and improved survival. The use of white light bronchoscopy is the standard imaging tool for the diagnosis of central airway tumors. However, in the detection of precancerous lesions WLB has a low sensitivity and specificity [5,6]. Recent advances have allowed bronchoscopists to evaluate the airway with advanced high-resolution imaging modalities. The development of the ideal bronchoscopic imaging technique capable of detecting preinvasive lesions is ongoing. Currently autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB), narrow-band imaging(NBI), high magnification bronchovideoscopy (HMB), probe based confocal endomicroscopy (pCLE), optical coherence tomography (OCT), radial probe endobronchial ultrasonography (R-EBUS) and now high definition bronchoscopy (HD) with surface enhancement (i-scan) are all being studied or used in clinical practice to evaluate the airway. The ideal system would be able to detect and define preinvasive lesions so that not only are we able to preemptively treat these lesions but determine effectiveness of treatment with noninvasive or minimally invasive techniques. In this issue of Respiratory Research, van der Heijden and colleagues report a randomized blinded prospective study, which examined the use of 5 videobronchoscopy techniques in 29 patients in which the authors explore whether different modalities might lead to improved detection of suspicious vascular changes or suspected preinvasive lesions. In the previous literature, WLB combined with AFB increased the diagnostic accuracy for squamous dysplasia, CIS, and early lung cancer with a high sensitivity but resulted in a large number of false positives and unneeded biopsies [7,8]. Heijden and colleagues did show that HD bronchoscopy with i-scan improve detection of vascular changes over WLB and AFB however AFB did detect more preinvasive lesions over WLB and HD modes. Histological confirmation was not obtained in this study so it is difficult to discern whether there would be improved accuracy of HD modes over AFB. That said we agree that it is likely that improved images and image enhancement which are able to better identify vascular abnormalities could improve overall diagnostic yield. Further studies in which a potential combination of methods, which improve efficiency of the airway evaluation while also improving accuracy of diagnosis are needed to fully determine the clinical implications of these modalities. Finally, the bigger question remains, would early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions in the airway as a primary or a recurrent lesion changes the ultimate outcomes in patients.

Phenotypes of severe asthma among children and adolescents in Brazil: a prospective study

BackgroundThe morbidity associated with severe uncontrolled asthma is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. The aim of this study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics of difficult-to-treat severe asthma and treatment-resistant severe asthma in a sample of children and adolescents in Brazil.MethodsThis was a prospective study, conducted between 2010 and 2014, following 61 patients (6–18 years of age) who had been diagnosed with severe uncontrolled asthma. The patients were classified and managed in accordance with the World Health Organization asthma follow-up protocol, which calls for re-evaluations of the diagnosis, level of control (functional and clinical), comorbidities, inhaler technique, and environmental factors, together with adjustment of the treatment to achieve a target level of control. We assessed pulmonary function, measured fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and performed sputum cytology. After the target rate of ≥ 80% adherence to inhaled corticosteroid treatment had been reached and all of the re-evaluations had been performed, the patients incorrectly diagnosed with severe uncontrolled asthma were excluded and the remaining patients were classified as having treatment-resistant or difficult-to-treat severe asthma.ResultsWe found that, of the 61 patients evaluated, 10 had been misdiagnosed (i.e., they did not have asthma), 15 had moderate asthma, and 36 had severe uncontrolled asthma. Among those 36 patients, the asthma was classified as treatment-resistant in 20 (55.6%) and as difficult-to-treat in 16 (44.4%). In comparison with the patients with difficult-to-treat severe asthma, those with treatment-resistant severe asthma showed a higher median level of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (40 ppb vs. 12 ppb; P < 0.037) and a lower median forced expiratory volume in one second (61% vs. 87%; P < 0.001).ConclusionsAlthough patients with treatment-resistant severe asthma cannot always be distinguished from those with difficult-to-treat severe asthma on the basis of baseline clinical characteristics, reduced airflow and elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide are factors that could distinguish the two groups. Patients diagnosed with severe uncontrolled asthma should be re-evaluated on a regular basis, in order to exclude other diagnoses, to reduce exacerbations, and to identify patients with persistent airflow limitation.

Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Practices and Attitudes among Primary Care Providers at an Academic Medical Center.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening reduces lung cancer-specific and overall mortality. We sought to assess lung cancer screening practices and attitudes among primary care providers (PCPs) in the era of new LDCT screening guidelines. In 2013, we surveyed PCPs at an academic medical center (60% response) and assessed: lung cancer screening use, perceived screening effectiveness, knowledge of screening guidelines, perceived barriers to LDCT use, and interest in LDCT screening education. Few PCPs (n = 212) reported ordering lung cancer screening: chest X-ray (21%), LDCT (12%), and sputum cytology (3%). Only 47% of providers knew three or more of six guideline components for LDCT screening; 24% did not know any guideline components. In multiple logistic regression analysis, providers who knew three or more guideline components were more likely to order LDCT (OR, 7.1; 95% confidence intervals, 2.0-25.6). Many providers (30%) were unsure of the effectiveness of LDCT. Mammography, colonoscopy, and Pap smear were rated more frequently as effective in reducing cancer mortality compared with LDCT (all P values < 0.0001). Common perceived barriers included patient cost (86.9% major or minor barrier), harm from false positives (82.7%), patients' lack of awareness (81.3%), risk of incidental findings (81.3%), and insurance coverage (80.1%). LDCT lung cancer screening is currently an uncommon practice at an academic medical center. PCPs report ordering chest X-ray, a nonrecommended screening test, more often than LDCT. PCPs had a limited understanding of lung cancer screening guidelines and LDCT effectiveness. Provider educational interventions are needed to facilitate shared decision-making with patients. This study describes some of the first data available about PCPs' use of lung cancer screening tests since the publication of multiple professional guidelines endorsing LDCT. Knowledge gaps were identified that may hinder the uptake of evidence-based lung cancer screening guidelines.

Long-Term Follow-up Results of the DANTE Trial, a Randomized Study of Lung Cancer Screening with Spiral Computed Tomography.

Screening for lung cancer with low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by 20% compared with screening with chest X-ray (CXR) in the National Lung Screening Trial, but uncertainty remains concerning the efficacy of LDCT screening in a community setting. To explore the effect of LDCT screening on lung cancer mortality compared with no screening. Secondary endpoints included incidence, stage, and resectability rates. Male smokers of 20+ pack-years, aged 60 to 74 years, underwent a baseline CXR and sputum cytology examination and received five screening rounds with LDCT or a yearly clinical review only in a randomized fashion. A total of 1,264 subjects were enrolled in the LDCT arm and 1,186 in the control arm. Their median age was 64.0 years (interquartile range, 5), and median smoking exposure was 45.0 pack-years. The median follow-up was 8.35 years. One hundred four patients (8.23%) were diagnosed with lung cancer in the screening arm (66 by CT), 47 of whom (3.71%) had stage I disease; 72 control patients (6.07%) were diagnosed with lung cancer, with 16 (1.35%) being stage I cases. Lung cancer mortality was 543 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 413-700) in the LDCT arm versus 544 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 410-709) in the control arm (hazard ratio, 0.993; 95% confidence interval, 0.688-1.433). Because of its limited statistical power, the results of the DANTE (Detection And screening of early lung cancer with Novel imaging TEchnology) trial do not allow us to make a definitive statement about the efficacy of LDCT screening. However, they underline the importance of obtaining additional data from randomized trials with intervention-free reference arms before the implementation of population screening.

Impact of Self-Identified Race and Genetic Ancestry on Airway Inflammation in Asthma

African-Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of asthma morbidity compared to Caucasians. Airway inflammation, as measured by sputum cytology, is associated with increased asthma exacerbation risk and poor treatment responses to inhaled corticosteroids. Whether African-American race and more specifically African ancestry contributes to airway inflammatory patterns in asthma is not clear.

Inter-rater agreement of sputum cytology for lung cancer screening in Japan.

To compare lung cancer detection rate by sputum cytology, we need some assurance that the estimates do not vary widely if different observers evaluate the same specimens. The aim of this study was to determine inter-rater agreement of sputum cytology diagnoses. Slides of sputum cytology from 150 subjects were selected from a pool of slides held by six of the laboratories that had participated in a population-based lung cancer screening program over the last ten years in Japan. The cytotechnologists in these laboratories had considerable experience with sputum cytology. Each case was re-evaluated six times. Cases that were diagnosed as the same category by all six laboratories were selected as consensus cases to serve as standardized sputum cytology cases. Thirty-seven cytotechnologists with various levels of experience in sputum cytology then re-evaluated these consensus cases. Inter-rater agreement was calculated by kappa statistics including Fleiss' kappa. All pairs of interlaboratory agreement for the 150 cases showed statistically significant kappa values, most pairs showing substantial agreement. Fleiss' kappa value across the six laboratories was 0.5. Fourteen cases were identified as the consensus cases, and the agreement among observers with less experience of sputum cytology showed significantly lower than the agreement among those with considerable experience (Fleiss' kappa value 0.27 vs. 0.45, P < 0.05). Moreover, cytotechnologists with less experience under-diagnosed the slides significantly more often than those with considerable experience. When the observers have considerable experience with sputum cytology, inter-observer agreement is good.

Cytological Phenotypes of Spontaneous Sputum in the Assessment of the Presence and Type of Bronchopulmonary Inflammation in Patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study was done in order to determine the cellular phenotypes of spontaneous sputum, and to evaluate the features of respiratory inflammation based on sputum cytology results. The study looked at 72 patients, with 23 patients having moderate asthma in combination with chronic bronchitis (asthma + CB), 18 patients having moderate asthma in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (asthma + COPD), and 31 patients having only COPD. All patients were studied during a period of disease exacerbation and had a productive cough. Eosinophilic, neutrophilic, epithelial and macrophagic phenotypes were determined. Mono cellular phenotypes were rare, with patients with asthma and COPD having a predominantly multi cellular phenotype. It is widely accepted and confirmed in international statements (GINA, GOLD) that broncho pulmonary inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For this reason, doctors and researchers are interested in studying sputum, which is a product of the respiratory tract.

A survey about further work-up for cases with positive sputum cytology during lung cancer mass screening in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan: a retrospective analysis about quality assurance of lung cancer screening.

In cancer screening programs, performing appropriate further work-up is essential. In order to elucidate whether the further work-up for the subjects with positive screening results by sputum cytology was performed appropriately, the present study was conducted as the first large-scale thorough survey in Japan. All of the lung cancer screening records from 2007 to 2012 in Ishikawa Prefecture were reviewed. Additional investigations about the further work-up were performed. In total, 2 234 984 people were invited to undergo lung cancer screening, and 494 424 people participated in the screening. Of these, 25 264 people underwent sputum cytology, and 68 positive cases were identified. Three of these 68 cases did not undergo further work-up, and another three cases had already been diagnosed to have lung cancer. Forty-five of the remaining 62 cases did not have suspicious chest shadows, and bronchoscopic examinations were performed in 36 cases. Seventeen of these 36 cases were diagnosed as having cancer, whereas none of the nine cases who did not receive the examination was diagnosed (P = 0.038). A bronchoscopic examination was not performed due to other medical conditions in three cases, due to the patient's refusal in another three cases and in the remaining three cases, the reasons were unknown. The participation rate for further work-up was very high. However, there are some issues to be resolved regarding the transmission of information. With our new registered hospital system, the quality assurance of our screening program will be improved.

Analysis of Lung Flute-collected Sputum for Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Molecular analysis of sputum can help diagnose lung cancer. We have demonstrated that Lung Flute can be used to collect sputum from individuals who cannot spontaneously expectorate sputum. The objective of this study is to further evaluate the performance of the Lung Flute by comparing the characteristics of parallel samples collected with and without the Lung Flute and the usefulness for diagnosis of lung cancer. Fifty-six early-stage lung cancer patients (40 current smokers and 16 former smokers) and 73 cancer-free individuals (52 current smokers and 21 former smokers) were instructed to spontaneously cough and use Lung Flute for sputum sampling. Sputum cytology and polymerase chain reaction analysis of three miRNAs (miRs-21, 31, and 210) were performed in the specimens. All 92 current smokers and 11 (28.7%) of 37 former smokers spontaneously expectorated sputum and also produced sputum when using the Lung Flute. Twenty-seven former smokers (70.3%) who could not spontaneously expectorate sputum, however, were able to produce sputum when using the Lung Flute. The specimens were of low respiratory origin without contamination from other sources, eg, saliva. There was no difference of sputum volume and cell populations, diagnostic efficiency of cytology, and analysis of the miRNAs in the specimens collected by the two approaches. Analysis of the sputum miRNAs produced 83.93% sensitivity and 87.67% specificity for identifying lung cancer. Therefore, sputum collected by the Lung Flute has comparable features as spontaneously expectorated sputum. Using the Lung Flute enables former smokers who cannot spontaneously expectorate to provide adequate sputum to improve sputum collection for lung cancer diagnosis.

A survey on pulmonary screening practices among otolaryngology-head &amp; neck surgeons across Canada in the post treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundPost treatment lung screening for head and neck cancer patients primarily focuses on the distant metastasis and a high rate of second primary can also be expected. The best screening tool and timing for this purpose is controversial. We sought out to assess the current practice and beliefs among Canadian Head and Neck Surgeons.MethodsAfter Ethical Board approval, a nationwide survey was conducted through the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology (CSO) among head and neck surgeons regarding their practices for pulmonary screening in HNSCC patients.ResultsOur CSO survey among Otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons showed that 26 out of 32 respondents perform routine lung screen, out of which 23 (88%) feel that chest radiography should be preferred. The majority of respondents felt that lung screening could impact beneficially on mortality. For symptomatic patients, low-dose spiral CT was the preferred modality (48%), followed by PET/CT scan (14%) and sputum cytology (14%). In high-risk asymptomatic patients (current smoker, radiation exposure, family history and advanced HNSCC), 31% of respondents performed a CXR. The same percentage performed a low dose CT, while 19% relied on PET scan. A further 19% of respondents did not perform any screening in high-risk patients. Most respondents (77%) had more than 10 years practice since graduation from medical school and came from the provinces of Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.ConclusionChest radiography remains the preferred modality for lung screening and was believed to be impacting beneficially on lung mortality. The recent literature does not seem to be in agreement with those beliefs. Further studies to establish which modality is best and concurrent nation-wide education are warranted.