title: [Bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation therapy for bronchial carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation therapy on bronchial carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one bronchial carcinoma patients were diagnosed by bronchoscope and pathological tests, with or without atelectasis or obstructive pneumonia on chest X-ray or chest CT. Argon plasma coagulation therapy was performed through bronchoscope. The location of the airway lesions, the degree of obstruction, dyspnea index, and complications were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients with bronchial carcinoma were treated 1-4 times by bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation therapy. Full effectiveness was achieved in 15 patients (48.4 %), partial in 12 (38.7 %), and mild in the other 4 (12.9 %). The overall effective rate was 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation therapy for bronchial carcinoma can remarkably reduce the tumor size, relieve clinical symptoms, and alleviate the obstruction caused by bronchial neoplasm. Bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation therapy is an effective and safe method for patients with bronchial carcinoma.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
authors: Hongzhong
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Huaping
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Yanzhi
authors: Y
authors: Zhou
authors: Sujie
authors: S
authors: Qu
authors: Chengping
authors: C
authors: Hu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged