Sensitivity of sputum cytology after homogenization with dithiothreitol in lung cancer detection. Two years of experience
Tang, C.S.; Tang, C.M.; Lau, Y.Y.; Kung, I.T.
Acta Cytologica 39(6): 1137-1140
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5547 PMID: 7483988 Document Number: 445390
OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity of sputum cytology using the dithiothreitol homogenization method (DTT) with that of the standard pick-and-smear (PS) method in lung cancer detection. STUDY DESIGN: In a two-year period, 2,428 sputum specimens were examined. Standard PS smears were prepared as controls; the remainder of the specimens were homogenized with DTT before smears were prepared. The sensitivity of the two methods in detecting positive cases was compared. RESULTS: Among 260 positive cases, the DTT method detected 256, while the PS method detected only 212, representing a difference of 17%. The DDT method also detected 28 more suspicious cases and permitted definitive typing of the tumor in a further 11 cases. CONCLUSION; Homogenization of sputum with DDT is not only a simple and versatile method but also a more sensitive method as compared to the PS method in lung cancer detection.