Treatment of endobronchial metastases with intraluminal radiotherapy

Metastasis to the lung occurs quite commonly from certain types of extrapulmonary primary carcinoma. Spread to the bronchial lumen is relatively rare. When this does occur, symptoms resembling those of primary bronchial carcinoma are often present, in association with partial or complete obstruction of the bronchial lumen. Palliation of such symptoms is possible with the use of intraluminal radiotherapy (ILT). Between 1990 and 1998, 37 patients with endobronchial metastases were treated using this modality; a single fraction of radiation was delivered by the remote afterloading high dose rate microSelectron system. Data regarding these patients' characteristics and outcome are presented, following a retrospective review of case notes. The commonest symptoms were dyspnoea, cough and haemoptysis; the commonest primary tumour sites were breast, colorectum, oesophagus and kidney. Twenty-four (64.9%) patients had some improvement in symptoms following treatment. Mean overall survival was 280 days, range 9-1145 days. No serious adverse effects occurred. ILT is a relatively simple, safe and effective treatment in the palliation of symptoms due to endobronchial metastases.