Salvage treatment with sole high-dose-rate endobronchial interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for isolated endobronchial tumor recurrence in non–small-cell lung cancer patients: a 20-year experience

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report on the use of high-dose-rate (HDR) endobronchial interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for isolated endobronchial tumor recurrence in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer, in whom a surgery or external radiation treatment is not possible. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review of the patients with endobronchial tumors treated with HDR–endobronchial interventional radiotherapy at our institution (1995–2015) was performed. Treatment results and treatment-related toxicity were recorded. Clinical response was evaluated by bronchoscopy 3 months after treatment. Disease-free survival and overall survival were analyzed. Results: One hundred twenty-six patients were identified. The median age was 63 years, and median followup time was 67.2 months. Three-month complete local response was 86.5%. At 5 years, disease-free survival was 41.4% and overall survival was 23.6%. 12.7% of the patients died from massive hemoptysis. Conclusion: HDR-endo brochial brachytherapy is an effective treatment option with acceptable toxicity for patients with endobronchial tumor recurrence in whom surgery and external beam radiotherapy are contraindicated.