[Autofluorescence bronchoscopy for early localization of lung cancer]

Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is more sensitive than conventional white light bronchoscopy in localizing small premalignant and early malignant lesions involving the large airways, particularly when applied to high- risk patients. The applications of AFB include localization of roentgenographically occult lung cancer, detection of synchronous tumors, estimation of the extent of field cancerization,chemoprevention studies, etc. This review deals with the history of AFB and recent clinical studies in AFB and discusses its current value as a research tool.