Endobronchial radiotherapy for malignant bronchial obstruction or recurrence

Acta Oncol. 1999;38(8):999-1004. doi: 10.1080/028418699432257.

Abstract

Forty-five lung cancer patients who had recurrence and/or endobronchial obstruction were treated with intrabronchial radiotherapy (IBRT). The majority had been heavily treated previously, mainly by external radiotherapy; six patients were treated surgically. IBRT was given with high-dose-rate equipment, either 18 Gy in three fractions or 15 Gy as a single dose was originally planned. For different reasons several patients received other regimens. Palliation of dyspnoea was obtained in 64% of the patients. Palliation of hemoptysis (12/14) and cough (11/17) was registered, as well as improvement in atelectasis in 11/26 patients. Palliation of dyspnoea was enhanced with an IBRT dose > 15 Gy. The median survival after IBRT was 13 weeks. Fatal hemoptysis (FH) occurred in 12 patients; 10 of these within 6 months after treatment. The risk of FH significantly increased with an IBRT dose > 15 Gy.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchial Neoplasms / complications
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Hemoptysis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Palliative Care*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate