Background: Sputum cytology using liquid-based cytology (LBC) method is a non-invasive test for evaluating lung cancer. Despite its convenience of screening, its sensitivity is lower than "pick and smear" method in our experience Methods: We compared ...
Background: Sputum cytology using liquid-based cytology (LBC) method is a non-invasive test for evaluating lung cancer. Despite its convenience of screening, its sensitivity is lower than "pick and smear" method in our experience Methods: We compared 210 sputum specimens that were prepared by both usual LBC (UL) and combined "pick and LBC (PL)" preparation Results: The cytologic rates of UL were 2.0% unsatisfactory, 73% normal, 11% atypical, 2.4% suspicious, and 11% malignancy. The rates of PL were 2.0% unsatisfactory, 68% normal, 12% atypical, 4.8% suspicious, and 13% malignancy. The diagnostic sensitivity, relative to the histologic and other available data for 114 primary lung cancer cases, were 25% (UL) and 33% (PL) Conclusion: Sputum cytology using the combination of "pick and LBC" method improves the diagnostic sensitivity for evaluating lung cancer by reducing the false-negative cases