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AJCP / Original article
Am J Clin Pathol 2020;154:57-69
DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa023
© American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2020. All rights reserved.
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Synchronous Pulmonary Adenocarcinomas
Correlation Among Morphology, Next-Generation
Sequencing/Single-Gene Analysis MolecularTesting,
and Clinical Outcomes With Eighth Edition AJCC Criteria
Carlos A. Pagan, MD,
1,
* Catherine A. Shu, MD,
2,
* John P. Crapanzano, MD,
1
Galina G. Lagos, MD,
2
Mark B. Stoopler, MD,
2
Naiyer A. Rizvi, MD,
2
Jonas J. Heymann, MD,
1
Joshua R. Sonett, MD,
3
Helen Fernandes, PhD,
1,#
and Anjali Saqi, MD, MBA
1,#,
From the Departments of
1
Pathology and Cell Biology,
2
Medical Oncology, and
3
Thoracic Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.
Key Words: Lung adenocarcinoma; Synchronous; Molecular; Next-generation sequencing; Multiple
Am J Clin Pathol July 2020;154:57-69
DOI: 10.1093/AJCP/AQAA023
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine concordance/discordance
between morphology and molecular testing (MT) among
synchronous pulmonary carcinomas using targeted
next generation sequencing (NGS), with and without
comprehensive molecular review (CMR), vs analyses of
multiple singe genes (non-NGS).
Methods: Results of morphologic and MT assessment
were classifed as concordant, discordant, or indeterminate.
For discordant cases, comprehensive histologic assessment
(CHA) was performed.
Results: Forty-seven cases with 108 synchronous tumors
were identifed and underwent MT (NGS, n = 23 and
non-NGS, n = 24). Histology and MT were concordant,
discordant, and indeterminate in 53% (25/47), 21%
(10/47), and 26% (12/47) of cases, respectively. CHA of
the 10 discordant cases revised results of three cases.
Conclusions: There is discordance between histology and
MT in a subset of cases and MT provides an objective
surrogate for staging synchronous tumors. A limited gene
panel is suffcient for objectively assessing a relationship if
the driver mutations are distinct. Relatedness of mutations
require CMR with a larger NGS panel (eg, 50 genes).
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related
mortality in the United States
1
and worldwide, accounting
for more than 1.5 million deaths.
2
Following the National
Lung Cancer Screening Trial,
3
screening for lung cancer
has been adopted by several organizations (eg, American
College of Chest Physicians, American Society of Clinical
Oncology [ASCO], and American Thoracic Society) for
high-risk individuals using low-dose computed tomog-
raphy (CT) in an effort to detect cancer at an earlier stage
with the intent of reducing mortality. Such screening, as
well as increased use and enhanced CT technology, has
resulted in identification of greater numbers of lung
nodules. In fact, identification of cases with multiple
nodules almost tripled between 2007 and 2010 compared
to years prior.
4,5
If multiple lung tumors are encountered in a surgical
resection, the relationship among them is essential for
staging, prognosis, and management. When occurring at
Key Points
• There is discordance between histologic and molecular testing of syn-
chronous lung adenocarcinomas.
• Targeted next-generation sequencing provides an objective means to
assess relationships among adenocarcinomas.
• Consistent with overall frequencies in a western population, syn-
chronous tumors most commonly harbor KRAS and/or EGFR hotspot
mutations.
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