Distinguishing non-small-cell carcinoma from its histological mimics: diagnostic challenges in pulmonary pathology

Pulmonary pathologists often must make a diagnosis based on small specimens derived from aspirated or solid tissue fragments, extracted under radiological guidance, containing limited diagnostic material. This poses a diagnostic challenge. Advances in treatment also demand tissue is analysed for multiple molecular anomalies therefore pathologists must be judicious in their use of ancillary tests such as immunohistochemistry. Whilst the majority of tumours encountered are non-small cell lung carcinomas, the lungs and thorax are a common metastatic site and can display a wide variety of different tumour types.
Source: Diagnostic Histopathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Mini-symposium: thoracic pathology Source Type: research