Cross Sectional Comparison of Cytology with Core Needle Biopsy in Suspected Lung Cancer

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide. More than 70% of patients are diagnosed in advanced stages of disease, with options based on cytological and histopathological material.Objectives:1)To study the cytological features of lung malignancy by Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) and Imprint smears; 2) To compare cytological diagnosis with final histopathological diagnosis as gold standard; 3) To assess the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cytological diagnosis in detection of lung malignancy.Methods: The present study comprises of bronchoscopic cytology and histopathology of bronchial biopsy in 50 patients suspected of lung malignancies which were obtained between January 2022 to July 2023. Bronchial cytology was evaluated by Papanicolaou society of cytopathology (PSC) system for reporting respiratory cytology. Results:The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of bronchial cytology sample was was53.49%, 85.71% , 95.83%, 23.08% and 58.00%.Conclusions: Lung carcinomas are most common worldwide. Analysis of cytology samples provides rapid, safe and inexpensive method of diagnosis.