Interventional therapy by endobronchial extension. Laser, Stent, brachytherapy and others [Interventionelle therapie bei endobronchialem tumorbefall. Laser, Stent, brachytherapie und anderes]

Patients with lung cancer often have bulky endobronchial disease, endobronchial extension, or airway compression. Many endobronchial treatment modalities are available to supplement traditional therapies for advanced lung cancer. Since the early 1980s, technical advances in interventional techniques have enhanced symptom-free survival and quality of life for patients with lung cancer. Although interventional procedures are not definitive therapies, they often relieve the strangling sensation produced by airway occlusion. For patients with respiratory symptoms associated with their disease, these interventions provide symptom palliation and improved quality of life. The authors review the use of several endobronchial treatment modalities including rigid and flexible bronchoscopy, laser therapy, endobronchial prosthesis, and photodynamic therapy. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2005.