Robotic-assisted and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy for multi-focal lung cancers: a narrative review

作者：Wei Liu, Aliss T. C. Chang, Joyce W. Y. Chan, Rainbow W. H. Lau, Tony Mok, Calvin S. H. Ng · 发表于：Translational Lung Cancer Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.21037/tlcr-2025-943 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment、Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques、Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment and Prognosis

Background and Objective: The incidence of multi-focal lung cancers (MFLCs) has increased with the widespread use of low-dose computed tomography, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in differentiating multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastasis. Surgical resection remains the standard treatment for early localized disease; however, it is often unsuitable for patients with multi-focal tumors, lesions near vital structures, or impaired lung function. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the use of minimally invasive bronchoscopic platforms, including robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB), in the diagnosis and treatment of MFLCs. Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed with a primary search on February 28, 2025 and a final update on September 30, 2025; only English-language publications were included. Keywords included "multi-focal lung cancer", "robotic-assisted bronchoscopy", "electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy", "bronchoscopic ablation", and related terms. Relevant original studies, clinical trials, case series, reviews, and abstracts were included. Key Content and Findings: RAB and ENB enable precise localization and access to peripheral lung lesions, enabling diagnostic biopsy and bronchoscopic ablation while preserving lung tissue. These approaches are particularly advantageous for patients who are poor surgical can...