[High dose endobronchial curietherapy and its role in the relief of bronchial obstruction due to tumors].

The prognosis of tumours invading the lumen of the tracheobronchial tree is very poor. The majority of patients can only be offered symptomatic treatment. Different techniques to relieve bronchial obstruction have recently been developed. Amongst these is endobronchial radiation treatment at high dosage, with the advantage of enabling ambulatory treatment to be given with a satisfactory tolerance level. The treatment combines treatment both of the luminal invasion, but also of the component of the tumour which is extrinsic to the bronchi. Following a review of the literature, we have reviewed the technique, the indications and the results of this new method of treatment.