Optimizing Diagnostic and Staging Pathways for Suspected Lung Cancer: A Decision Analysis.

Background: The optimal diagnostic and staging strategy for patients with suspected lung cancer is not known.

Research Question: What diagnostic and staging strategies are most cost-effective for lung cancer?

Study Design And Methods: A decision model was developed by using a hypothetical patient with a high probability of lung cancer. Sixteen unique permutations of bronchoscopy with fluoroscopy, radial endobronchial ultrasound, electromagnetic navigation, convex endobronchial ultrasound with or without rapid-onsite evaluation (ROSE), CT-guided biopsy (CTBx), and surgery were evaluated.