[Management of central-type early lung cancer: an evidence-based clinical guideline]

With the support of the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, clinical guidelines for the management of lung cancer have been completed according to evidence-based methods. In this article, we focus on the guidelines for central-type early lung cancer. Reviewing a total of 3,196 reports that include key words related to central-type early lung cancer, 41 were selected and applied to determine recommendations for diagnostic or therapeutic methods. Among diagnostic methods, sputum cytology for the high-risk group and bronchoscopy for patients with positive sputum cytology were evaluated as recommendable. Among therapeutic methods, surgery and photodynamic therapy were evaluated as recommendable. For some methods, including fluorescence bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasonography brachitherapy, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that they are efficacious. At present, efforts to clarify the efficacy of these methods should be continued.