Bronchoscopic treatment of early-stage peripheral lung cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review article focuses on bronchoscopic treatment of early-stage peripheral lung cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Bronchoscopic treatment modalities have garnered considerable attention for early-stage lung cancer. Studies using photodynamic therapy, thermal vapor ablation, laser ablation, cryoablation, and intra-tumoral injection have recently been published. However, the evidence supporting these approaches largely derives from single-arm studies with small sample sizes. Based on the IDEAL-D framework, no technology has progressed passed the idea phase (1). The main weakness of these technologies to date is lack of evidence suggesting they can achieve local control. Presently, no bronchoscopic intervention for lung cancer has sufficient data to warrant its use as part of the standard of care. SUMMARY: Despite notable progress, current technologies remain suboptimal, and there is insufficient evidence to support their use outside of a research setting.