Which diagnostic modality is commonly used for tissue sampling in bronchogenic carcinoma?

• A. Echocardiogram
• B. Bronchoscopy with EBUS
• C. Sputum cytology
• D. Abdominal ultrasound

Answer: (B)

Obtaining tissue to confirm lung cancer and guide treatment is essential, and bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is the go-to method for this purpose. Bronchoscopy lets you directly view the airways, and adding ultrasound guidance through EBUS enables precise sampling of lesions and nearby lymph nodes via transbronchial needle aspiration. This combination provides diagnostic tissue with high yield while being less invasive than surgical approaches, and it also helps stage disease by sampling mediastinal and hilar nodes. Sputum cytology can sometimes detect malignant cells, but its sensitivity is limited, especially for peripheral tumors. Imaging tests like echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound don’t sample lung tissue. So, bronchoscopy with EBUS is the most effective, commonly used approach for obtaining tissue in bronchogenic carcinoma.