Van Rensburg A., Neethling G.S., Schubert P.T., Koegelenberg C.F.N., Wright C.A., Bolliger C.T., Bernasconi M., Diacon A.H.
Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Van Rensburg, A., Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Neethling, G.S., Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Schubert, P.T., Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Koegelenberg, C.F.N., Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Wright, C.A., Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Bolliger, C.T., Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Bernasconi, M., Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Diacon, A.H., Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
SETTING: Sub-Saharan Africa carries a high burden of lung cancer, with limited access to specialised health care. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of sputum cytology and its potential in reducing the need for invasive diagnostic procedures in a high-risk population. DESIGN: We collected spontaneously expectorated sputum from 108 patients referred for a diagnostic procedure for suspected lung cancer between June 2010 and June 2012, and examined the diagnostic yield of sputum cytology for malignant cells as well as factors predicting a positive result. RESULTS: Bronchial carcinoma was diagnosed in 90 patients (83.3%), of whom 35 (38.9%) had sputum cytology positive for malignant cells with 100% diagnostic accuracy. Positive sputum cytology was significantly associated with endobronchial tumour and obstruction seen during bronchoscopy (OR 4.69 and OR 8.89, respectively), and with a histology of squamous cell carcinoma (OR 1.9). All but one patient with positive sputum were inoperable (97.1%), and we estimated that up to a third of all invasive procedures could be avoided if sputum cytology was used for triage. CONCLUSION: Sputum cytology had a high yield and accuracy in this high-risk group. Its routine use in selected patients is likely to result in reduced costs and less patient risk and discomfort. © 2014 The Union.
adult; aged; article; bronchoscopy; bronchus obstruction; bronchus tumor; cancer cell; cancer risk; cancer staging; controlled study; cost control; diagnostic accuracy; diagnostic test accuracy study; diagnostic value; female; high risk population; histopathology; human; human tissue; inoperable cancer; lung carcinoma; lung squamous cell carcinoma; major clinical study; male; patient selection; priority journal; risk reduction; sputum cytodiagnosis; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; chi square distribution; cytodiagnosis; cytology; epidemiology; evaluation study; Lung Neoplasms; middle aged; pathology; predictive value; prognosis; prospective study; radiography; risk; risk factor; South Africa; sputum; very elderly; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bronchoscopy; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Chi-Square Distribution; Cytodiagnosis; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; South Africa; Sputum