TREATMENT OF UNRESECTABLE LUNG-CANCER WITH BRACHYTHERAPY

Endobronchial brachytherapy is an evolving treatment modality. Althoug h standard clinical indications and dosage schedules have not yet been established, the wide range of individual experience overwhelmingly d emonstrates its efficacy in palliating lung cancer patients who genera lly have limited treatment options. Although the exact complication ra te is not known, it appears to be low and the potential benefits far o utweigh the risks, The role of endobronchial brachytherapy for cure is less clear. For most instances ''prolonged palliation'' would be a mo re suitable term than ''cure.'' Further data is needed to clarify the proper place of endobronchial brachytherapy as a boost to external bea m radiation therapy. The dose, fractionation scheme, and timing relati ve to external beam radiation therapy are based on institutional prefe rence at this time. The historical evolution, treatment technique, res ults, and complications of endobronchial brachytherapy are reviewed he re.