Supplementary tissue-core histology from fine-needle transthoracic aspiration biopsy.

Biopsies of 150 consecutive suspected lung cancers were performed with fine needles having circumferentially beveled tips that produced cytology and tiny tissue cores suitable for histology. Visible tissue cores were aspirated in 92% (n = 138) and histologic diagnoses were obtained in 72% (n = 108). There were 118 (79%) proven malignant and 27 (18%) proven benign lesions.