[Nd-YAG laser treatment for central airway lesions]

YAG laser treatment was conducted in 55 patients with central airway lesions over the last 8 years. The malignant lesions comprised 1 primary tracheal cancer, 1 chondroma of the trachea, 34 primary lung cancer, and 10 metastatic lung tumor. The benign lesions comprised one each of hamartoma, lipoma, bronchial lithiasis, post-tracheotomy granuloma, and bronchial web, and 3 other cases. Nd-YAG laser treatment was performed in 55 patients with airway lesions, with a success rate of 73%. The success rates in the above patients were 70% for primary lung cancer, 60% for metastatic lung tumor, 100% for primary tracheal cancer and chondroma of trachea, and 89% for benign lesions. In 34 patients with primary lung cancer, palliative widening of the airway was planned with the exception of 2 patients with endoscopically early lung cancer for whom curative vaporization was intended, 6 months-survival rate was 59.3% in patients in whom various combined treatments were performed after the laser treatment. For all patients with hamartoma or lipoma in those with benign lesions, curative vaporization was performed. The severe complication of lethal massive hemoptysis occurred in 3 patients. We consider that Nd-YAG laser treatment is a powerful therapeutic means of performing lifesaving or emergency, curative, and supplemental treatment.