• Kirill Neumann, Arve Sundset, Andreas Espinoza, Johny Kongerud, and Erik Fosse.
• The Intervention Centre Department of Respiratory Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. kirill.neumann@gmail.com
• J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2013 Apr 1;20(2):134-9.

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) has been closely linked with symptom intensity in lung cancer patients. It is therefore important to relieve respiratory distress in these severely ill patients, especially because their short life expectancy. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of a therapeutic bronchoscopy on QoL, dyspnea, and lung function in patients with malignant airway obstruction.MethodsFifteen cancer patients with airway obstruction were enrolled in the study. All patients were followed up during 2 months by 4 assessments that consisted of a clinical examination, QoL assessment using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire with LC-13 module, Borg Dyspnea Scale, and lung function tests.ResultsThe study showed that therapeutic bronchoscopy had a rather persistent effect on QoL and dyspnea, which were sustained for at least 2 months after the procedure. The study population had also a significant improvement in lung function.ConclusionTherapeutic bronchoscopy has a positive impact on QoL, dyspnea scale values, and lung function in patients with advanced lung cancer and airway obstruction.

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