Publication:

Lung cancer immunophenotypic profile: a tertiary health care institute’s experience with new WHO classification

Background Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases and 19% of cancer related deaths all over world. In India it constitutes 6.9% of all new cancer cases and 9.3% of all cancer related deaths in both sexes. The new 2015 WHO Classification recommends to apply immunohistochemistry, when possible, for small biopsies/cytology, and also for resected specimens.

Methods An observational study with 113 cases between January 2017 to January 2019 received in the department of pathology. Morphological and immunohistochemical examination was done in each case.

Results Based on morphology and immunohistochemistry cases were classified as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adeno-squamous carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma in accordance with 2015 WHO classification.

Conclusions Classification and staging of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis is the most important predictor of survival in the era of specific targeted therapy. Immunohistochemistry is proved to be an invaluable tool for definite categorization of lung cancer cases.