Lung Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis and Survival Outcomes

A Special Issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418) belonging to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 2213

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Guest Editor
Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
Interests: lung cancer; precision medicine; immunooncology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the evolving landscape of lung cancer, with a focus on innovations and challenges in screening, diagnostic modalities, and survival outcomes. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and early detection is critical to improving prognosis. We welcome original research, reviews, and clinical perspectives that address advances in low-dose CT screening, biomarker-driven diagnostics, molecular profiling, and risk stratification strategies. Submissions may also explore disparities in access to screening, novel imaging techniques, and the integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostic workflows. Additionally, we welcome studies that examine treatment outcomes across histologic subtypes, the impact of comorbidities, and real-world survival data in diverse populations. Contributions that highlight multidisciplinary approaches, patient-centered care models, and emerging technologies in early detection and monitoring are encouraged. This Special Issue aims to foster dialogue among clinicians, researchers, and public health experts to advance the field and improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.

Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • lung cancer
  • screening
  • diagnostic modalities
  • survival outcomes
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4978 KB  
Article
A Multicenter Investigation of Minimally Invasive Sample Processing and the Pre-Analytic Assessment of NSCLC Small Biopsy Specimens for Molecular Testing
by Anzi Tan, Lixi Huang, Liwen Jiang, Yingying Gu, Ping He, Zeyun Lin, Shiqi Tang, Chunping Liu, Mengshi Li, Zhucheng Chen, Yuying Chen, Jiangyu Zhang and Juhong Jiang
Diagnostics 2026, 16(7), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16070962 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 735
Abstract
Objectives: In the era of precision oncology, the management of lung cancer depends fundamentally on the acquisition of sufficient neoplastic material for both definitive histological subtyping and comprehensive molecular profiling. This study aimed to investigate molecular testing adequacy rates for small lung [...] Read more.
Objectives: In the era of precision oncology, the management of lung cancer depends fundamentally on the acquisition of sufficient neoplastic material for both definitive histological subtyping and comprehensive molecular profiling. This study aimed to investigate molecular testing adequacy rates for small lung biopsy specimens obtained via minimally invasive procedures at three high-volume oncology centers. Recognizing that a significant subset of specimens remains insufficient for analysis, we evaluated the utility of cell pellets derived from residual fixative media as a supplemental resource for ancillary molecular testing. Methods: Over a six-month period, specimen handling workflows for small biopsies were assessed across three high-volume oncology centers. The pre-analytic molecular adequacy of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections from patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was evaluated. During the final two months of the study, in cases where the primary FFPE tissue was deemed inadequate for molecular profiling, the residual fixative solution was recovered and processed to generate supplemental cell pellets. Results: Using adequacy thresholds of >200 tumor cells per section and a tumor cell fraction (TCF) of ≥10% or ≥5% (depending on specific assay requirements), the overall adequacy rates for FFPE samples were 80.6% (2986/3705) and 88.9% (3293/3705), respectively. During the final two months, 18.9% (154/816) of cases exhibited inadequate FFPE sections. However, of these cases, 56% (86/154) yielded adequate cell pellets based on cellularity evaluation and DNA quantification. These results indicate that cell pellets collected from the fixative medium of thoracic small biopsies are a valuable supplemental material for ancillary testing. Conclusions: This multi-center investigation demonstrates that a notable subset of NSCLC specimens obtained via minimally invasive biopsy remains insufficient for molecular analysis. Cell pellet samples obtained from residual fixative media serve as a critical supplemental resource, effectively increasing the success rate of molecular adequacy in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lung Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis and Survival Outcomes)
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Review

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38 pages, 1001 KB  
Review
Patient and Healthcare Provider Barriers in the LDCT Lung Cancer Screening Continuum
by Rodica Anghel, Antonia-Ruxandra Folea, Vlad-Luca Moga, Cristian Pavel, Diana Troncotă, Corneliu-Octavian Dumitru, Andreea-Iren Șerban and Liviu Bîlteanu
Diagnostics 2026, 16(7), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16071092 - 4 Apr 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Despite demonstrated mortality benefits, annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening faces challenges in real-world adoption due to low uptake and poor longitudinal adherence. This review evaluates patient- and provider-level factors that influence screening participation and highlights strategies to strengthen equitable engagement [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Despite demonstrated mortality benefits, annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening faces challenges in real-world adoption due to low uptake and poor longitudinal adherence. This review evaluates patient- and provider-level factors that influence screening participation and highlights strategies to strengthen equitable engagement throughout the screening pathway. Methods: A structured literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was performed to identify studies published between 2013 and November 2025 (search conducted on 25 November 2025). Eligible publications included qualitative and quantitative studies, study protocols, and reviews examining LDCT screening uptake, adherence, and follow-up practices. Extracted evidence was synthesized, with particular attention being paid to patient- and provider-level determinants. Results: The evidence demonstrates that both patient- and provider-level factors substantially influence screening participation and continuity. At the patient level, limited awareness of screening, misconceptions regarding asymptomatic disease, and psychosocial factors such as fear, fatalism, stigma, and medical mistrust were consistently associated with reduced uptake and adherence. At the provider level, gaps in guideline familiarity, time constraints, and challenges in delivering high-quality shared decision-making limited referrals and follow-up. Conclusions: Improving real-world effectiveness of LDCT lung cancer screening requires reframing screening as a longitudinal program of care. Strategies that support patient navigation, enhance provider capacity for sustained engagement, and integrate tobacco dependence treatment into screening pathways are central to improving adherence and reducing disparities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lung Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis and Survival Outcomes)
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