Brief Reports
Is Cytology Reliable for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Evaluation in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

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Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number has been proposed as predictor of response to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Cytologic and matched histologic samples from 33 primary non-small cell lung cancers were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for epidermal growth factor receptor gene.

Results

FISH was positive in 52% and negative in 35% of the 31 matched evaluable samples. Four of 31 (13%) cases were discordant (K = 0.736; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our data support the feasibility and reliability of epidermal growth factor receptor gene assessment by FISH on cytology.

Keywords

NSCLC
EGFR
FISH
Cytology

Cited by (0)

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.