The distribution of demographic, clinical, radiological, pathological and molecular characteristics of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis, as well as preferential association between elements of those domains, have not been specifically studied in Italy. The aim of the present project is to assess, in a systematic fashion, the demographic, clinical, radiological, pathological and molecular characteristics of advanced lung cancer at the time of diagnosis in a large Italian cohort of consecutive patients referred to two tertiary referral centers.
Age >18 years
Suspicion of lung cancer based on imaging (CT and/or PET/CT)
Indication to a biopsy for diagnosis, staging and/or molecular profiling
Inability or unwillingness to provide a written informed consent
ECOG performance status (>3) which makes a tissue diagnosis unfeasible
ASA 4 status
TNM Stage I-III