Laser eradication of bronchial carcinoids - when is therapeutic bronchoscopy the right option?

Over the last 5 years, there have been a few reports on Nd YAG laser eradication of endobronchially growing carcinoids. There is increasing evidence that this can be a definite cure for some patients and that this minimally invasive method can, in some cases, help avoid thoracotomy. We report seven cases of carcinoid tumour treated with laser eradication. We also propose a set of conditions that can make patients with bronchial carcinoids eligible for this kind of treatment.