Rebiopsy of Histological Samples in Pretreated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Comparison Among Rebiopsy Procedures

Aim The aim of the present study was to compare successful rate, failure reasons, and complications among procedures of histological rebiopsy. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of histologically rebiopsied cases with non-small cell lung cancer. Results One hundred and eleven histological rebiopsies were performed in: 86 (77%) lung; 11 (10%) lymph node; 5 (5%) pleura; 4 (4%) liver; 2 (2%) muscle; 2 (2%) adrenal gland; and 1 (1%) rib. Successful rate by computed tomography-guided biopsy (CTGB), transbronchial biopsy (TBB), and ultrasound-guided biopsy were 86% (48/56), 90% (28/31), and 100% (24/24), respectively. Reasons for rebiopsy failure by CTGB were no/insufficient malignant cells (n=5) and pneumothorax (n=3), and those by TBB were no/insufficient malignant cells (n=2) and bleeding (n=1). Severe complications (≥grade 3): one grade 3 pneumothorax and one grade 4 air embolization were observed in two (2%, 2/111) cases receiving CTGB. Conclusion Rebiopsy of histological samples can be highly successful and feasible by optimal procedural selection.