Interventional endoscopic treatment

Interventional bronchoscopy has evolved as an integral part of lung-cancer treatment but it is not always used to its full potential. The different methods can provide immediate relief of dyspnea and haemoptysis. Bleeding from central airway tumours can be stopped by coagulation preferably with the argon plasma coagulator. In cases of intraluminally growing tumour masses removal of the malignant tissue is accomplished with the Nd-YAG laser, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy or photodynamic therapy. Intramural tumour growth is most efficiently treated with high dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy. Extrinsic compression or airway wall destruction require the placement of an airway stent. All methods can be combined and complement other palliation methods such as radiation or chemotherapy.