Diagnosis of roentgenographically occult lung cancer by sputum cytology

Sputum cytology is an established method for identifying roentgenographically occult lung cancer. Sputum cytology, employing the Saccomanno method, is widely used around the world, particularly in Japan and Europe. New developments in sputum cytology include molecular markers, and automated high-throughout sputum cytologic analysis. Sputum cytology is complementary to CT scanning and is critical in identifying small intraepithelial lesions of the large conducting airways.