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The application of cryosurgery in the treatment of lung cancer.

Author(s) : MAIWAND M. O., EVANS J. M., BEESON J. E.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death, with a very poor survival rate. By the time of diagnosis, most cases are at an advanced stage and about 30% present with symptoms caused by central endobronchial obstruction. Endobronchial cryosurgery is an effective technique, which can be used to relieve tracheobronchial obstruction caused by lung cancer. The report describes the technique, using a nitrous oxide cooled cryoprobe, inserted through a bronchoscope, to remove the obstruction. 476 consecutive patients (mean age 68.3 years with obstructive tracheobronchial tumours underwent a mean of 2.4 cryosurgical treatments. Improvement in symptom quantification was found with 76.4, 69.0, 59.2, and 42.6% of symptomatic patients for haemoptysis, cough, dyspnoea, and chest pain, respectively. Mean values for respiratory function improved. Mean performance status improved from 59.6 to 75.2 for Karnofsky scale and 3.04 to 2.20 for the WHO scale. The Kaplan-Meier median survival was 8.2 months and 1- and 2-year survival 38.4 and 15.9%, respectively. Survival analysis suggested a possible survival advantage over alternative palliative techniques. Endobronchial cryosurgery provides a safe and effective method for the palliation of otherwise inoperable lung cancer. It has advantages in terms of safety, cost, and a low complication rate and can be repeated as often as required.

Details

  • Original title: The application of cryosurgery in the treatment of lung cancer.
  • Record ID : 2004-2534
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Cryobiology - vol. 48 - n. 1
  • Publication date: 2004/02

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