[Possible Significance of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology at Initial Diagnosis and Follow-up of Lung Cancer].

Bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] is an important procedure in the diagnosis of a variety of lung diseases. While it has enormous value in the diagnostics of inflammatory parenchymal diseases, its significance in lung cancer is unclear. Keeping in mind that immune therapy (e. g. application of checkpoint inhibitors) is gaining importance in the management of lung carcinoma, it is important to know if there are typical cellular patterns in BAL of lung cancer patients.  In a retrospective proof of principle-study, we analyzed 38 patients who underwent BAL at the initial diagnosis of lung cancer.  We observed an elevated level of CD25 lymphocytes as well as an increased expression of DR antigen, both signaling lymphocyte activation. We could not find a typical cytologic pattern of inflammatory cells in lung carcinoma patients. Sensitivity of BAL to malignant cells was rare, thus confirming earlier analysis.  We could not demonstrate typical cellular patterns in BAL of lung cancer patients. Evaluation of specific microRNA patterns might play a supporting role in the initial diagnosis as well as follow-up of lung cancer patients.