Systematic endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration improves radiotherapy planning in non-small cell lung cancer.

This study demonstrates for the first time that systematic EBUS-TBNA prior to radical-intent radiotherapy significantly improves coverage of subclinical disease through detection of PET-occult metastases. Identification of false-positive lymph node involvement in highly selected cases may reduce radiation dose to critical structures, and risk of organ toxicity.