Bronchoscopic staging of lung cancer.

Advances in bronchoscopy have contributed valuable tools to the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Detection of lesions at the premalignant microscopic stage has become possible with autofluorescence bronchoscopy and narrow band imaging. Bronchoscopy also allows for sampling of visible intra-bronchial lesions and for transbronchial needle aspiration of lesions in pulmonary parenchyma. With endobronchial ultrasound guidance, real-time evaluation and biopsy of mediastinal and pulmonary lesions can be achieved, enabling accurate clinical and pathological T-staging and N-staging without the need for surgery. In combination with advanced imaging techniques, Navigational bronchoscopy allows for the targeting and biopsy of the most peripheral lesions that are located in the smallest airways. For patients in whom tumor genetics are important, bronchoscopic-guided transbronchial biopsy can provide sufficient material for molecular analysis. As minimally invasive technology continues to evolve and improve, bronchoscopic techniques are poised to continue to be essential for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.