Background and Objective: Studies which evaluated the role of an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration biopsy (US-NAB) of metastases from lung cancer located in “superficial” organs/tissues are scant, and none of them assessed the possible impact of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) on diagnostic accuracy and safety outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients with suspected superficial metastases from lung cancer were randomized 1:1 to US-NAB without (US-NAB group) or with ROSE (ROSE group). The diagnostic yield for a tissue diagnosis was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included the diagnostic yield for cancer genotyping, the diagnostic yield for PD-L1 testing, and safety. Results: During the study period, 136 patients were randomized to receive an US-NAB with (n = 68) or without ROSE (n = 68). We found no significant differences between the ROSE group and the US-NAB group in terms of the diagnostic yields for tissue diagnosis (94.1% vs. 97%, respectively; p = 0.68), cancer genotyping (88% vs. 91.8%, respectively; p = 0.56), and PD-L1 testing (93.5% vs. 90.6%, respectively; p = 0.60). Compared to the diagnostic US-NAB procedures, the non-diagnostic procedures were characterized by less common use of a cutting needle (66.6% vs. 96.9%, respectively; p = 0.0004) and less common retrieval of a tissue core (37.5% vs. 98.5%; p = 0.0001). Only one adverse event (vasovagal syncope) was recorded. Conclusion: US-NAB of superficial metastases is safe and has an excellent diagnostic success regardless of the availability of ROSE. These findings provide a strong rationale for using US-NAB as the first-step method for tissue acquisition whenever a suspected superficial metastatic lesion is identified in patients with suspected lung cancer.

New ultrathin bronchoscopes (UTBs) enable the inspection and biopsy of small airways, potentially offering diagnostic advantages in sarcoidosis. In this prospective study, patients with suspected sarcoidosis underwent airway inspection with a UTB. Observed airway abnormalities were categorised into six predefined patterns. UTB-directed small airway biopsies (SABs) were collected from the upper lobes following a standardised procedure. We evaluated the prevalence and patterns of SAAs, as well as the diagnostic yield of UTB-directed SAB. Among 79 participants, 65 (82.3%) were diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Small airway abnormalities were identified in 26/65 (40%) patients, predominantly in those with parenchymal involvement on CT compared to those with lymphadenopathy only (58.1% VS. 23.5%, P = 0.005). The diagnostic yield of SABs for detecting granulomas was significantly higher in patients with SAAs than in those without (65.4% VS. 23.1%, P = 0.001) and in patients with parenchymal disease on CT compared to those without (54.8% VS. 26.5%, P = 0.02). Notably, random biopsies taken under direct visualisation from small airway carinas revealed peribronchiolar parenchyma in 23% of the patients. Small airway abnormalities are prevalent in sarcoidosis patients with parenchymal involvement, and biopsying these abnormalities yields a high rate of granuloma detection.

Molecular profiles of thymomas and recurrent thymomas are far from being defined. Herein, we report an analysis of a comprehensive genetic profile (CGP) in a highly selected cohort of recurrent thymomas. Among a cohort of 426 thymomas, the tissue was available in 23 recurrent tumors for matching the biomolecular results obtained from primary and relapse samples. A control group composed of non-recurrent thymoma patients was selected through a propensity score match analysis. CGP was performed using the NGS Tru-SightOncology assay to evaluate TMB, MSI, and molecular alterations in 523 genes. CGP does not differ when comparing initial tumor with tumor relapse. A significantly higher frequency of cell cycle control genes alterations (100.0% vs. 57.1%, p = 0.022) is detected in patients with early recurrence (50% of cases (oncogenic Tier-IIC variants). In conclusion, CGPs do not substantially differ between initial tumor vs. tumor recurrence and recurrent thymomas vs. non-recurrent thymomas. Cell cycle control gene alterations are associated with an early recurrence after thymectomy. Multiple target therapies are potentially available by performing a comprehensive CGP, suggesting that a precision medicine approach on these patients could be further explored.

CGP do not substantially differ between initial tumor vs tumor recurrence and recurrent thymomas vs non-recurrent thymomas. Cell-cycle control genes alterations are associated with an early recurrence after thymectomy. Multiple target therapies are potentially available by performing a comprehensive CGP, suggesting that a precision medicine approach on these patients could be further explored.

Background/Objectives: Perioperative chemo-immunotherapy (CHT-IO) has emerged as a standard treatment strategy for resectable stage II–IIIB NSCLC. However, data regarding surgical feasibility, mini-invasive surgery rates, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative complications in real-world single-center experiences remain limited. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was performed including consecutive patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with perioperative chemo-immunotherapy between March 2024 and March 2026. Patients received platinum-based chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab or durvalumab, followed by surgical resection with curative intent. Surgical, pathological, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results: Thirty patients received neoadjuvant CHT-IO, of which 25 (83.3%) underwent surgical resection. Reasons for failure to proceed to surgery included treatment-related toxicity or deterioration in performance status (n = 3), disease progression (n = 1), and patient refusal (n = 1). Lobectomy was the most performed procedure (64%), while a minimally invasive approach (uniportal VATS) was adopted in 44% of cases. Moderate-to-severe pleural adhesions (64%) and hilar fibrosis (60%) were observed intraoperatively. Despite these technical challenges, conversion to thoracotomy was required in only one case (4%), no intraoperative complications occurred, and complete (R0) resection was achieved in 96% of patients. Pathological complete response and major pathological response were observed in 36% and 52% of cases, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 56% of patients, although most were Clavien–Dindo grade I–II. The presence of comorbidities was the only factor associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (OR 10.00, 95% CI 0.99–100.46; p = 0.05). Median length of hospital stay was 5.65 ± 2.04 days. One postoperative death due to septic complications was recorded. Conclusions: In this real-world monocentric experience, the combination of perioperative CH-ICIs and surgical resection (including mini-invasive approach) was safe and feasible in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. High rates of complete (R0) resection and encouraging pathological responses were observed, consistent with outcomes reported in randomized trials. Although surgery was overall frequently technically demanding, these changes did not appear to compromise perioperative safety or oncological radicality, even when minimally invasive approaches were adopted. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to better define long-term oncological outcomes.