Analyses de tissus

Bronchoscopy is an examination of the lungs using an endoscope, a thin flexible tube that is inserted through the nose or mouth into the large branches of the trachea. At the end of this tube is a miniature camera that allows the doctor to view the inside of the large airways. Using forceps attached to the endoscope, a piece of tissue (biopsy) can be removed for further examination. The type of endoscope used for this examination is a bronchoscope.

"Transthoracic" means the biopsy is taken by placing a needle in your chest. The doctor places a needle through the skin on your chest, between the ribs and into the lung. Other names for this procedure are "CT-guided needle biopsy" or "ultrasound-guided needle biopsy."

Endoscopic ultrasound involves internal imaging using an ultrasound device attached to the end of an endoscope. In EUS (endoscopic ultrasound), the examination is conducted through the esophagus, while in EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound), it is done through the trachea. These two techniques are mainly used to inspect the lymph nodes around the trachea and esophagus, as well as in the space between the lungs, to detect any metastases. During an endoscopic ultrasound, a fine needle can be used to extract fluid or pieces of tissue from the lymph nodes around the bronchus (transbronchial needle aspiration) or the esophagus (transesophageal needle aspiration).

In this examination, the removed pieces of tissue (biopsies) are examined under the microscope. This helps determine whether it is lung cancer and, if so, what type of lung cancer it is.

Molecular examination, also known as molecular diagnostics or DNA/RNA testing, delves deeper into cancer cells. The goal is to determine whether the tumor exhibits specific gene mutations, i.e., DNA changes in certain genes of the cancer cells. This detailed analysis allows for a more precise description of the characteristics of lung cancer, which is crucial for determining the most suitable treatment.