Both bronchial and vascular stenting followed by chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Airway and vascular constrictions are expected problems for lung cancer patients. The clinical course of a patient in whom stents were inserted in 3 constriction regions is reported. A 72-year-old man with advanced primary lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma stage IIIB) developed suffocating constriction of the trachea and showed superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Self-expandable metal stents were inserted into the trachea, SVC and left subclavian vein and the patient was treated by radiotherapy and weekly irinotecan. Within 5 months of treatment, complete local control was achieved and there was no reconstriction. Both endobronchial and endovascular stenting prior to antitumor therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of locally advanced cases of lung cancer.