Identifying Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Using Tissue Samples From Patients With Lung Cancer and From Healthy Participants

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  * Known or previously diagnosed lung cancer
  * Suspected lung cancer, including the following:

    * Completely resected stage I lung cancer (with no evidence of metastatic disease) for which patient is at risk for developing secondary disease
    * Suspected of having lung cancer due to clinical symptoms, such as positive sputum cytology, hemoptysis, unresolved pneumonia, persistent cough, and positive x-ray
  * Healthy volunteer

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* WBC ≥ 2,000/mm³ but ≤ 20,000/mm³
* Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm³
* Not pregnant
* No uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure \> 200 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure \> 120 mm Hg)
* No unstable angina
* No known bleeding disorder
* No other contraindications for white light bronchoscopic examination
* No other contraindications for fluorescence examination

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* More than 3 months since prior fluorescent photosensitizing agents (hematoporphyrin derivatives)
* More than 3 months since prior and no concurrent chemopreventative drugs (e.g., tretinoin)
* More than 6 months since prior ionizing radiation treatment to the chest
* More than 6 months since prior systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy
* No concurrent anticoagulant therapy