Four Cases of Early Stage Central Type Squamous Cell Carcinoma and One Case of Carcinoid of the Lung Treated Successfully with Nd-YAG Laser

Abstract

Four cases judged endoscopically to be early stage central type squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and one case of carcinoid were treated by endoscopic Nd-YAG laser, because of poor pulmonary function or refusal of operation. All patients are alive and apparently diseasefree at from 5 to 22 months after treatment, except one case that died from non-malignant disease.
Endoscopic Nd-YAG laser treatment avoids the burden of invasive surgery and is considered to be extremely effective in cases of early stage lesions when the option of thoracotomy is not available.