[Endoscopic brachytherapy for early stage lung cancer of the hilar type]

Endoscopic brachytherapy (ESBT) is a new technique presently being investigated for the treatment of cancer involving the tracheobronchial tree. This paper reports on the potential application of ESBT to the local treatment of cancer of the respiratory tract. Between September 1992 and December 1998, ESBT was performed in 52 patients with early-stage tracheobronchial cancer at the National Cancer Center Hospital. In all 52 cases tracheobronchial cancer was histologically confirmed by biopsy before treatment. Of the 52 patients who received ESBT, 51 showed a complete response to this therapy. Of the 52 patients, 27 patients are alive 12-80 months after therapy with no apparent recurrence or metastasis, and 25 patients have died. The 5-year survival rate of the 52 patients is 72.6%.