Detection of EGFR mutation of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sputum using droplet digital PCR

It is still unclear whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation of primary lung adenocar‑ cinoma can be detected on sputum samples. This study aimed to examine EGFR mutations of primary lung adeno‑ carcinoma in sputum samples using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and compare it with an EGFR mutation in surgically resected lung cancer.