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Principles and Practice of Interventional Pulmonology pp 259–268Cite as

Malignant Central Airway Obstruction

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Abstract

Central airway obstruction by malignancy usually occurs in situations where there is greater than 50 % obstruction of one of the main stem bronchi, trachea, or bronchus intermedius. Approximately 1/3 of patients with lung cancer present with obstruction. The general approach to these patients is first to stabilize them clinically, then consider the cause. Depending on the etiology and location of the tumor resulting in the obstruction, the management may include debulking techniques and/or airway stenting. The decision regarding the most appropriate therapeutic intervention is based upon review of the diagnostic imaging, the endoscopic appearance, and the responsiveness of the tumor to other therapeutic modalities including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. If the patient and the medical conditions are such that the patient is deemed an appropriate candidate for endoscopic management, then the general approach includes devitalizing the tumor followed by debridement, hemostasis of the tumor base, and then consideration of stent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

    Gaëtane Michaud M.D., FRCPC

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  1. Gaëtane Michaud M.D., FRCPC
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Correspondence to Gaëtane Michaud M.D., FRCPC .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pulmonary, Critical Care,, and Sleep Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, 1 Deaconess Rd. CC 540, Boston, 02215, Massachusetts, USA

    Armin Ernst

  2. Department of Pneumology and, University of Heidelberg, 5 Amalienstr., Heidelberg, 69126, Germany

    Felix JF Herth

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Michaud, G. (2013). Malignant Central Airway Obstruction. In: Ernst, A., Herth, F. (eds) Principles and Practice of Interventional Pulmonology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4292-9_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4292-9_25

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4291-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4292-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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