May sarcoidal reaction and malignant features coexist in regional lymph nodes of non-small cell lung cancer patients?

Lung Cancer. 2009 Nov;66(2):272-3; author reply 273. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2009.08.005. Epub 2009 Sep 4.

Abstract

In the study of Steinfort et al., as well as in previous studies, no cases of co-involvement of malignant features and sarcoidal reactions were seen in non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing mediastinal staging, leading the authors to state that non-necrotizing granulomas revealed by EBUS-TBNA should serve to indicate the absence of lymph node metastases. We report on a case of stage IIIA pulmonary adenocarcinoma in which TBNA of a subcarinal node showed the presence of both neoplastic cells and non-necrotizing granulomas.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / complications
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Sarcoidosis / complications
  • Sarcoidosis / pathology*