Transarterial management of advance lung cancer

Previous reports on transarterial treatment for lung cancer were reviewed. The bronchial arterial infusion therapy has a long history since 1964. Better local control with less doses of anti-neoplastic agents was warranted by trying transarterial administration to lung and mediastinal tumors. It is reported that both primary and metastatic tumors are fed by bronchial or other systemic arteries. The bronchial arterial embolization for hemoptysis has been introduced for clinical practice since 1973. Hemoptysis by not only benign but also malignant diseases has been well controlled by embolization. In recent decades, the technical elements for transarterial treatments have markedly improved. They make it possible to carry out precise procedures of selective catheter insertion to the tumor relating arteries. Current concepts of transarterial treatment, technical aspects and treatment outcomes are summarized. Tentative result from chemo-embolization for advanced lung cancer using recent catheter techniques was also described. It provides favorable local control and survival merits. It is considered that a population of lung cancer patients can benefit from transarterial management using small doses of anti-neoplastic agents, with less complications and less medical costs.