A narrative review of diagnosis of lung cancer without a knife: challenges and opportunities

This review addresses the evolving landscape of lung cancer diagnosis, focusing on the potential to shift the paradigm away from traditional tissue biopsy through non- and minimally-invasive modalities. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with early diagnosis being crucial for improved survival outcomes. Standard low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, while effective at identifying nodules requiring further evaluation, is limited by false positives and incidental findings. Tissue biopsy, the diagnostic gold standard, carries significant risk of morbidity and high financial costs.