RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Outcome of advanced lung cancer with central airway obstruction versus without central airway obstruction JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 00173-2017 DO 10.1183/23120541.00173-2017 VO 4 IS 2 A1 Verma, Akash A1 Goh, Soon Keng A1 Tai, Dessmon Y.H. A1 Kor, Ai Ching A1 Soo, Chun Ian A1 Seow, Debra G.F. A1 Sein, Zin Nge Nge A1 Samol, Jens A1 Chopra, Akhil A1 Abisheganaden, John YR 2018 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/4/2/00173-2017.abstract AB Patients with central airway obstruction (CAO) from advanced lung cancer present with significant morbidity and are assumed to have lower survival. Hence, they are offered only palliative support. We asked if patients who have advanced lung cancer with CAO (recanalised and treated) will behave similarly to those with advanced lung cancer without CAO.This study was a retrospective review of the medical records of the patients managed for advanced lung cancer during 2010 and 2015 at our institution.85 patients were studied. Median survival and 1-, 2- and 5-year survival were 5.8 months, 30.3%, 11.7% and 2.3% versus 9.3 months, 35.7%, 9.6% and 4.7%, respectively, in the CAO and no CAO groups (p=0.30). More patients presented with respiratory failure (15 (35%) versus none; p=0.0001) and required assisted mechanical ventilation (10 (23.3%) versus none; p=0.001) in the CAO group compared with the no CAO group. Fewer patients received chemotherapy in the CAO group (11 (25.5%)) compared with the no CAO group (23 (54.7%); p=0.008).There was no difference in survival among patients with advanced lung cancer whether they presented with CAO or without CAO. Survival was similar to those without CAO in patients with recanalised CAO despite greater morbidity and lesser use of chemotherapy, strongly advocating bronchoscopic recanalisation of CAO. These findings dispel the nihilism associated with such cases.Survival is similar among patients with advanced lung cancer whether they present with CAO or without CAO http://ow.ly/djRE30iDH6V