Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Strategies for Achieving Complete, Accurate, and Timely Characterization

Course overview

The advent of effective treatments for non-small cell lung cancer directed at increasingly well-characterized genetic and immunologic targets has resulted in significant gains in survival; trials are ongoing. As our knowledge of tumor driver mutations and immune evasion strategies rapidly expands, so does the need for extensive characterization of tumor cells by multiple. methods. Additionally, less invasive biopsy techniques are commonly used; Cytopathologists are thus asked to do more and more with smaller samples. Discussion will include strategies for specimen triage and algorithms for testing. Joyce E. Johnson, MD Professor, Anatomic Pathology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, Tennessee