Granulomatous Inflammation in Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Kennedy Marcus P, Jimenez Carlos A, Mhatre Ashwini D, Morice Rodolfo C, Eapen Georgie A
Primary Institution: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Hypothesis
Can endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) detect granulomatous inflammation in patients with suspected cancer recurrence?
Conclusion
At least 5% of patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA have sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy mimicking cancer recurrence.
Supporting Evidence
- EBUS-TBNA identified non-caseating granuloma in 17 out of 153 patients.
- 8 patients had sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy mimicking cancer recurrence.
- 1 patient was diagnosed with non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection.
- No complications were reported from the EBUS-TBNA procedure.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a special test called EBUS-TBNA to check if swollen lymph nodes in cancer patients are due to cancer or something else, like a condition called sarcoidosis.
Methodology
Reviewed all EBUS-TBNA performed for suspected cancer in the mediastinum, focusing on patients with non-caseating granuloma.
Limitations
The study did not investigate the false negative rate for granulomatous inflammation with mediastinoscopy.
Participant Demographics
Included 153 patients with suspected cancer recurrence, some with prior cancer history.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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