Pulmonary Non-Small Cell Carcinoma with Morphologic Features of Adenocarcinoma or "non-Small Cell Carcinoma Favor Adenocarcinoma" in Cytologic Specimens Share Similar Clinical and Molecular Genetic Characteristics

Objectives: Define if the presence of morphologic features of adenocarcinoma (ACA) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) on cytology specimens correlates with clinical and biologic features. Methods: A total of 209 cases of NSCLC diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration in a 3-year period were included. Results: After morphologic review, the cases were classified as ACA (n = 115), NSCLC favor ACA (n = 43), and NSCLC-not otherwise specified (NOS) (n = 18). Squamous cell (SCC) (n = 14) and NSCLC favor SCC (n = 19) were excluded from further analysis. Patients with EGFR-mutated tumors had longer overall survival than those with EGFR wild-type tumors (P = .01). When comparing cases with morphologic features of ACA, NSCLC favor ACA, and NSCLC-NOS, there were no differences in the presence or absence of tested mutations, clinical stage, or survival. Conclusion: Patients diagnosed with pulmonary ACA, NSCLC favor ACA, or NSCLC-NOS in cytology specimens have similar clinical stage, survival, and molecular alterations.