Endobronchial therapy of neoplasms.
The techniques and modalities provided by interventional pulmonology play a major role in the management of patients with symptomatic airways obstruction. The majority of these obstructions are part of pulmonary involvement by primary lung neoplasms or metastatic lesions from other organs. Benign lesions, although capable of producing similar symptoms, are more rare. Performance of successful interventional pulmonology is dependent on the skill and dexterity of the operator paired with a highly trained and dedicated ancillary team of nurses, anesthetists, and respiratory therapists. Successful endobronchial management of airway obstruction not only provides significant improvement in patients' quality of life, it also adds to their survival time. Both results fulfill the stated goals of appropriate and desired palliative therapy. Interventional pulmonology also contributes to research of the process of lung carcinogenesis and the introduction of targeted therapy for early minimally invasive cancer and the potential chemotherapy of premalignant lesions.
Unger
Michael
M
Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. m_unger@fccc.edu
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D001918:Brachytherapy; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D004106:Dilatation; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D015607:Stents