Bronchoscopic cryotherapy.

Bronchoscopic cryotherapy of localized endobronchial tumors can be applied in selected patients who are not candidate for other traditional therapy. Twenty-eight patients were treated on 60 occasions with a closed liquid nitrogen system and a long insulated probe that was specifically designed to be used through an open ventilating bronchoscope. The conditions of 15 patients (54%) was improved, as judged by local tumor control, decreased bleeding, or improved airway patency. Fatal complications that could be ascribed to cryotherapy occurred in 2 of the 60 treatments (3%). Two patients have experienced complete control of squamous cell cancers four years and five years nine months after cryotherapy.