Description:
Lung cancer is often at an advanced stage by the time it is diagnosed and survival rates are low. Patients can develop endobronchial lesions that obstruct the major airways, causing symptoms such as dyspnoea, cough, haemoptysis and postobstructive pneumonia. The obstruction may lead to gradual asphyxiation.
The aim of treatment in patients with malignant endobronchial obstruction is mainly palliative. Current treatment options include a variety of endobronchial therapies such as resection, brachytherapy, laser ablation, photodynamic therapy and stenting. External beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be used for palliative treatment.
Cryosurgery uses extreme cold to destroy tissue. General anaesthesia is usually used and a cryoprobe is inserted through a bronchoscope to reach the tumour. The selection of probe diameter depends on the size and position of the tumour. After a period of freezing, the tumour is allowed to thaw until the probe separates from the tissue. The freeze/thaw cycle may be repeated two to three times in the same place. The probe is then moved to an adjacent area and the process repeated until the whole tumour has been treated. Any resulting necrotic tumour material is then removed with forceps or the cryoprobe. Further necrotic-appearing material may be coughed out 24 to 48 hours later. The procedure can be repeated if necessary.
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