Brachytherapy: endobronchial irradiation for primary and secondary bronchial tumors

Intrabronchial obstruction is one of the serious complications of primary and secondary lung tumors. Brachytherapy (intraluminal irradiation) aims at palliation and opening airway obstruction. Of our first 10 patients, 4 had primary and 6 metastatic pulmonary lesions. Brachytherapy was administered through the fiberoptic bronchoscope under topical anesthesia from a 192iridium source delivered with an afterload system. In 3 patients laser therapy was used initially. In 6 complete opening of the airway was achieved, and in 3 others partial opening. In all patients there was symptomatic relief without significant side-effects. We conclude that endobronchial brachytherapy is a safe, useful procedure for palliation of malignant endobronchial obstruction.