What is the yield of EBUS-TBNA for re-evaluation of previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer?

backgroundLocoregional recurrence in lung cancer still remains an important problem. We aimed to indicate the effectiveness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for reevaluation in previously treated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

methods: NSCLC patients who underwent EBUS for rebiopsy of suspicious recurrent or progressive lesions between January 2010 and June 2017 were reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the previous treatment modalities: Group 1 (G1) consisted of patients who had been treated with chemoradiotherapy, and Group 2 (G2) consisted of patients who had undergone radical surgery.

resultsOf 115 patients, 100 patients enrolled in the study. Of 26 patients with 35 lymph nodes in G1, malignant cells were identified in thirteen patients (50%). Anthracosis was detected in the remaining. Malignancy was detected in 28 patients (37.8%) in G2. Thirty-threepatients were diagnosed as benign (24 anthracosis; 8 lymphocytes, and 1 granulomatous); 8 were not sampled, and inadequate material was obtained in five. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value, and overall diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for rebiopsy in G1 were 84.8%, 100%, 89.1%, 100%, and 93.2%, respectively. These values were all perfect in G2. DISCUSSION: EBUS-TBNA could be preferred as a feasible and efficient procedure for rebiopsy in previously treated NSCLC patients.