The Open Lung Cancer Journal

2010, 3 : 66-72
Published online 2010 October 12. DOI: 10.2174/1876819901003010066
Publisher ID: TOLCJ-3-66

Is Histologic Subtype Significant in the Management of NSCLC?

Athanasios Kotsakis , Samuel Yousem and Shirish M. Gadgeel
Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.

ABSTRACT

Histologic subtype has emerged as a potential prognostic and/or predictive factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies support the importance of differentiating between squamous and non-squamous NSCLC in terms of efficacy of chemotherapeutics (e.g. pemetrexed) or treatment-related toxicities (e.g. bevacizumab). In addition, molecular markers and gene profiles have been correlated with histologic subtype. This review examines the emerging clinical significance of histologic type in the management of NSCLC, discusses caveats in accurate histologic diagnosis, and reviews biomarkers with potential predictive value for NSCLC chemotherapeutics.

Keywords:

Lung cancer, histology, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma.