Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a 46-Year-Old Man with NSCLC after Airway Stenting and Chemo-Radiotherapy

Background: Airway stenting is a minimal invasive treatment providing a quick relief of symptoms for patients having airway obstruction. While the use of stenting is well documented in the palliative setting, its role in curative setting is unclear. This case report describes a clinical course that relates to this question that affect the daily clinical practice of oncologists. Patient: A 46 year old man with a history of heavy smoking; 80 pack year, was diagnosed with bilateral NSCLC and received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During radiotherapy the patient developed dyspnoea and a stent was placed in the right main bronchus providing immediate relief. Radiotherapy was continued afterwards.