Case-control study about magnitude of exposure to wood smoke and risk of developing lung cancer.

Introduction: Exposure to biomass combustion products, particularly firewood, has been considered as a potential carcinogen for developing lung cancer. In this regard, current evidence is widely heterogeneous; besides, in most studies, wood smoke exposure is not appropriately quantified, which further complicates the analysis of wood smoke as a potential carcinogen. The aim of the present study was to estimate the risk of developing lung cancer according to the degree of exposure to wood smoke in patients who use firewood for cooking.

Accuracy of closed pleural biopsy in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that closed pleural biopsy (CPB) has a sensitivity of less than 60% for diagnosing malignancy. Therefore, controversy has recently emerged regarding the value of CPB as a diagnostic test. Our objective was to assess the accuracy of CPB in diagnosing malignancy in patients with pleural effusion.