Endobronchial Ablative Therapies

Abstract

Endobronchial ablative therapies, such as mechanical debulking, laser therapy, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy, microdebrider bronchoscopy, resector balloon deobstruction, and intratumoral chemotherapy, are performed through a rigid or flexible bronchoscope in palliating or curing symptomatic malignant and benign airway lesions to improve symptoms, quality of life, and survival. Technical factors together with patient- and lesion-specific features determine the therapy of choice, as each therapy is different in capacity, limitation, and complications. In this article, indications, contraindications, and complications of endobronchial ablative therapies as well as practical issues related to their rational and cost-effective use are reviewed.

Keywords: Ablative therapy; Airway lesions; Airway obstruction; Airway stenosis; Interventional bronchoscopy.