Bronchoscopic bronchial brush cytology: an underutilized modality for diagnosing lung cancer in resource limited facilities: a case series of nine patients

Abstract

Lung cancer incidence is on the rise with increasing industrialization across the globe. Early diagnosis is the key to a better prognosis. In the current scenario, in developing countries, the majority are diagnosed late, when surgical or curable treatment is not possible, and only palliative treatment options are left. Bronchoscopy is the most widely used modality for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Perhaps, all its accessories are not widely used. Bronchial brush is an easy, cost effective, easily available, without significant complication rates, safe, feasible, with high specificity which offers early preliminary report where biopsy is not possible. It should be used along with biopsy to increase the yield and accuracy in all suspected lung cancer patients who require bronchoscopy.