Delayed massive hemoptysis after expandable bronchial stent placement

Patients with lung cancer often develop airway obstruction that necessitates palliative bronchoscopic interventions. Expandable metal stents are increasingly used for this indication. We report a case of fatal massive hemoptysis that occurred 1 week after uneventful bronchial stent placement. Previous treatment with external-beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and photodynamic therapy probably contributed to pulmonary artery-bronchial fistulization in this patient. This complication should be kept in mind when considering expandable airway stent insertion in heavily pretreated lung cancer patients.