[Endobronchial brachytherapy: endoluminal small-volume irradiation of bronchial tumors using the high-dose-rate afterloading method].

Endobronchial irradiation has been in use for over 70 years. This method of treatment has become much less of a burden to the patient thanks to developments in isotope technology, bronchoscopy and radiation therapy. It is effective in providing good palliation and in central bronchial tumours with involvement of the large airways, endobronchial irradiation has proved to be a valuable addition to our armamentarium. In the context of curative irradiation it may be combined with external beam irradiation. In tumours confined to the bronchial wall, endobronchial irradiation alone has been successfully used to achieve a cure. This method should however only be used in large thoracic centres as there are relatively few indications for its use.