Bronchoscopic utilization of the Nd:YAG laser for obstructing lesions of the trachea and bronchi.

The combination of recent technological developments in earlier detection of lung cancer, together with the simultaneous introduction of new palliative therapeutic tools, including the Nd:YAG laser, offers new hope in the treatment of lung carcinomas. Endobronchial usage of the Nd:YAG laser has provided a new technique to treat otherwise untreatable, obstructive malignant tumors, as well as the means to avoid the need for more extensive surgical procedures for benign lesions. It is important to quantify and translate this information to advanced science for optimal development and use.