Endobronchial management of advanced lung cancer.

BACKGROUND 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. METHODS The author reviews the use of several endobronchial treatment modalities that can augment standard antitumor therapies for advanced lung cancer, including rigid and flexible bronchoscopy, laser therapy, endobronchial prosthesis, and photodynamic therapy. RESULTS 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. CONCLUSIONS Endobronchial interventions are important adjuncts in the multimodality management of lung cancer and should become standard considerations in the management of patients with advanced lung cancer. For patients with respiratory symptoms associated with their disease, these interventions provide symptom palliation and improved quality of life.