[Cytopathology and molecular diagnostics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)]

Cytological specimens from endobronchial aspirates and pleural effusions are frequently used materials in the diagnostics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the same way as histological samples from endobronchial and transbronchial biopsy material or computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsies, cytological specimens are eminently suitable for molecular and immunohistological biomarker diagnostics of NSCLC, provided optimal techniques and clear diagnostic algorithms are employed. This article presents the typical processing techniques and a scheme for biomarker analytics and discusses an optimal approach for comprehensive diagnostics of NSCLC. When cytological specimens are processed and used in this way, the analytics are equivalent to those from histopathological specimens. For a detailed and advanced description of cytological and molecular techniques on cytological specimens the reader is referred to our own review articles.