Cryotherapy in early superficial bronchogenic carcinoma

Background: Treatment of early superficial bronchogenic carcinoma (ESBC) is under debate, and no consensus has been achieved. Different therapeutic me thods have been proposed, including surgical resection and endoscopic metho ds. Study objective: To assess the efficacy of cryotherapy in patients with ESBC, Patients and methods: Patients included in the study had histologically pro ven ESRC after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, Cryotherapy was performed through a rigid bronchoscope, Efficacy was assessed by endoscopy with multiple biops ies 1 month after treatment and during the follow-up period. Parameters stu died were response to treatment, adverse effects, and survival, Results: We included 35 patients (34 men and 1 woman), The mean age was 61 +/- 9 years. Multiple locations of ESBC were observed in seven patients (20 %). Complete response rate at both 1 month and 1 year was 91% (32 patients) . No severe adverse effects were noted. Local recurrence was observed withi n 4 years in 10 patients (28%), A follow-up period of at least 4 years was available in 22 patients; of them, 11 patients (50%) were long-term survivo rs, Conclusion: Our results suggest that cryotherapy is an effective method of treatment in patients with ESBC, Due to its relative tolerance compared to surgery, cryotherapy could he proposed as a first-line therapy in this popu lation with high carcinogenic risk.