Bronchoscopy

Examination of the airways by bronchoscopy i.e. visualizing the airways through a thin probe inserted in a tube through the nose or mouth, may reveal areas of tumor that can be sampled for pathologic diagnosis. A tumor in the central areas of the lung or arising from the larger airways is accessible to sampling using this technique. Bronchoscopy may be performed using a rigid or a flexible, fiber-optic bronchoscope and can be performed in a same-day outpatient bronchoscopy suite, an operating room, or on a hospital ward. The procedure can be uncomfortable and require sedation or anesthesia. While the procedure is relatively safe, the procedure must be carried out by a lung specialist (pulmonologist or surgeon) experienced in the procedure. When a tumor is visualized and adequately sampled, an accurate cancer diagnosis is generally possible. Some patients may cough up dark-brown blood for one to two days after the procedure. More serious, and rare, complications include a greater amount of bleeding, decreased levels of oxygen in the blood, and heart arrythmias as well as complications from sedative medications and anesthesia.