High�Dose Rate Endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) for palliation of lung cancer: An Observational study.

Meenu Gupta; Saurabh Bansal; Girish Sindhwani; Ravi Kant M.; Vipul Nautiyal; Deep Shankar Pruthi; Sanjeev Kumar; Varuna Jethani; Mushtaq Ahmad; Sunil Saini

Volume : VI, Issue : VII, July - 2016

High�Dose Rate Endobronchial brachytherapy (HDREB) for palliation of lung cancer: An Observational study.

Meenu Gupta, Saurabh Bansal, Girish Sindhwani, Ravi Kant M. , Vipul Nautiyal, Deep Shankar Pruthi, Sanjeev Kumar, Varuna Jethani, Mushtaq Ahmad, Sunil Saini

Abstract :

 Aim: Our aim was to evaluate safety and effectiveness of out–patient HDREB for palliation of advanced malignant endoonchial tumors in the context of a multidisciplinary approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients of advanced malignant endoonchial tumors were treated with palliative intent according to a prospective observational protocol. Intra Luminal HDR Brachytherapy was performed using the high dose rate 192Ir thin wire remote after loading system. HDREB was delivered as two fractions of 7 Gy at weekly intervals. All patients presented with advanced lung cancer primaries and were treated because of lesions located in the trachea and/or main onchi. RESULTS: Overall, there was 84.53% improvement, with migration of patients from lower to higher performance status. The symptom that presented the best response was hemoptysis 93.3% followed by postobstructive pneumonia 87 % Symptomatic improvement in dyspnea was observed in 73.3% Radiological and endoscopic partial response was seen in 67% and 73.3% respectively. Palliation was obtained in all patients. Temporary radiation onchitis was observed in three patients. No fatal complication occurred. CONCLUSION: This non–comparative, prospective observational study showed HDREB is an excellent modality for palliating malignant airway obstruction with advanced lung cancer primaries and control of haemoptysis resulting in better quality of life. The safety of the procedure was good and the rate of non–fatal serious complications was very low.