Overview of malignant central airway obstruction

Malignant central airway obstruction (MCAO) impacts many patients with advanced primary lung cancers and metastatic disease to the thorax and may cause substantial symptoms and functional limitations in those affected. Making the diagnosis may be challenging as symptoms are often non-specific but identification is improved with a heightened level of suspicion and newer thoracic imaging modalities. Bronchoscopy plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of MCAO and therapeutic interventions may be lifesaving and result in palliation of symptoms. This may ultimately improve a patient’s candidacy to receive additional systemic or local cancer therapies or potential tumor resection. After initial stabilization, it is important that patients with MCAO undergo prompt evaluation and treatment. Multiple bronchoscopic instruments are available for management depending on tumor characteristics, location of the obstruction, and viability of distal airways, and may be utilized in combination during therapeutic procedures. These modalities include dilation, endobronchial stent placement, thermal and non-thermal ablation, mechanical debulking, and novel endobronchial therapies. While these procedures are not without risk, there is ample evidence showing improvements in patient symptoms, quality of life, and survival following therapeutic bronchoscopy. This review article provides a general overview of the diagnosis and management of MCAO with a focus on bronchoscopic interventions.