Early diagnosis and timely treatment of lung cancer are essential to reduce lung cancer-related mortality [1,2]. Over the past decades, advances in CT technology and the implementation of lung cancer screening programs have markedly increased the detection of pulmonary nodules [3,4]. Histological confirmation remains crucial and is typically obtained via bronchoscopy biopsy or CT-guided procedures, such as fine-needle aspiration and percutaneous lung biopsy [5]. Bronchoscopy is generally preferr…