Abstract
Background and Aim Endobronchial benign tumors are a rarely seen clinical entity but may cause significant symptoms. Endobronchial treatment has the potential for relieving symptoms while saving the patient from invasive surgical procedures. No trials have been published that present and compare the various endobronchial treatment modalities for endobronchial benign tumors. The aim of the present study is to define safety and efficacy of endobronchial treatment in patients with benign endobronchial tumors from the point of complications and success rate. Methods This study is a retrospective cohort study from a review of medical charts. Eligibility criteria included diagnosis of a benign endobronchial tumor. Our institution's bronchoscopy and pathology database was searched for specific benign tumors, and the results were further detailed based on the endobronchial location. Results Forty-four patients with pathologically confirmed benign endobronchial tumors were included. Tumor regression was achieved in all patients with diode laser and argon plasma coagulation in combination with or without cryotherapy and without any major complication. There were no significant differences between the use of either diode laser or of argon plasma coagulation as a modality with immediate effect from the occurrence of residual tissue that needed cryotherapy (P > 0.05). There were no major complications. Eight patients had minor complications including minor bleeding (6 patients) and hypertension (2 patients) that were controlled medically. Thirty-one patients (70%) had very good response, and 13 patients (30%) had good response as defined in literature before. Conclusion Diode laser and argon plasma coagulation in combination with or without cryotherapy are safe and effective methods for endobronchial treatment of benign endobronchial tumors.
Highlights
Benign endobronchial tumors are rarely seen lung tumors and include approximately 2–5% of all lung tumors, of which only 6% occur endobronchially [1–4]
A total 44 patients was included in the study. e range of the patients’ ages was between 4 and 86 years. ere were 33 male (75%) and 11 female (25%) patients in the study population. e locations of the benign tumors were as follows: five of them were located in the trachea (13%); 16 of them were in the right main bronchus (41%); 13 of them were in the left main bronchus (33%); and 5 of them were located at multiple sites (13%). e tumors
Patients and their disease characteristics are summarized in Table 1. e study patients presented with dyspnea (80%), cough (50%), constitutional symptoms (30%), hemoptysis (15%), and wheezing (5%). e most common benign tumor was a hamartoma (34.1%) in the present study (Table 2). ere were no major complications
Summary
Benign endobronchial tumors are rarely seen lung tumors and include approximately 2–5% of all lung tumors, of which only 6% occur endobronchially [1–4]. Because endobronchial tumors may cause airway obstruction regardless of their benign or malignant character, removal of the tumor is the first treatment of choice to alleviate respiratory symptoms and to dilate and maintain the airway These benign tumors have been managed with surgical resection [5]. Bronchoscopic techniques to manage benign endobronchial tumors include neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd : YAG), diode laser, argon plasma coagulation, and cryotherapy. Tumor regression was achieved in all patients with diode laser and argon plasma coagulation in combination with or without cryotherapy and without any major complication. Diode laser and argon plasma coagulation in combination with or without cryotherapy are safe and effective methods for endobronchial treatment of benign endobronchial tumors
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