The UCLH Centre for Advanced Bronchoscopy and Endoluminal Therapy is a specialist service delivering minimally invasive bronchoscopy techniques to diagnose and treat lung cancer, lung nodules, other cancers, and diseases of the airway.
We have a dedicated bronchoscopy suite with state-of-the-art equipment and technology that combines expert bronchoscopy, advanced imaging and endobronchial therapies to support accurate diagnosis, lung cancer staging, airway management and minimally invasive treatments.
UCLH is part of Cancer Research UK’s Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence and is recognised globally as one of the premier research centres in lung cancer. We lead several internationally renowned studies, including TRACERx and the SUMMIT study. A key component of the centre is a strong focus on the early detection of lung cancer and rapid diagnosis.
What we do
We provide a comprehensive advanced bronchoscopy service for patients who may require:
- biopsy of a lung nodule or suspected lung cancer
- robotic bronchoscopy for small or difficult-to-reach lung lesions
- mediastinal staging with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
- surveillance of pre-cancerous airway changes
- therapeutic bronchoscopy for tumours causing airway narrowing or obstruction
- clinical studies using novel endoluminal therapies for lung cancer and nodules delivered by image-guided robotic bronchoscopy
Robotic bronchoscopy is an advanced image-guided technique used to diagnose small lung nodules that may be difficult to reach using conventional bronchoscopy. The procedure uses a highly controlled robotic bronchoscopy platform together with CT-based planning to guide a thin catheter deep into the airways, allowing doctors to reach very small or peripheral lung lesions with high precision.
This technology is particularly useful for patients with small pulmonary nodules, including those identified through lung cancer screening programmes or incidental imaging.
At UCLH, robotic bronchoscopy may be combined with other advanced imaging techniques, such as radial ultrasound or cone-beam CT, to confirm accurate positioning of biopsy instruments before samples are taken.
Procedures are performed by a specialist bronchoscopy team and are usually carried out under general anaesthetic or deep sedation, depending on the clinical pathway.
EBUS is used to sample lymph nodes and structures adjacent to the airways. It plays an important role in diagnosing and staging lung cancer and when needed, can often be performed at the same time as robotic bronchoscopy.
We also provide surveillance for selected patients with suspicious or pre-malignant airway changes using autofluorescence bronchoscopy, which can help identify lesions not usually seen with standard white-light bronchoscopy.
We offer therapeutic endoscopic treatments for patients with early cancers and for those presenting with an obstructed or narrowed airway, usually caused by cancer.
Our endobronchial and interventional bronchoscopy treatments include:
- Ablation of lung tumours using hot or freezing temperatures
- Endobronchial treatment using laser or argon plasma
- Cryotherapy (a freezing treatment to destroy tumours)
- Photodynamic therapy (uses light treatment to destroy cancers)
- Brachytherapy (delivers localised radiotherapy by placing radioactive material internally to treat cancers in the lung)
- Airway stent placement (uses metal or silicone stents to provide support to the windpipe)
Patients referred to our service are reviewed within a specialist diagnostic and therapeutic pathway. Depending on the clinical question, this may include imaging review, multidisciplinary discussion and planning of the most appropriate bronchoscopy procedure.
Procedures may be performed under sedation or general anaesthetic, depending on the type and complexity of the intervention. Many patients go home the same day, although some may require observation or additional inpatient care depending on the procedure and their overall condition.
Why choose UCLH
UCLH provides specialist care across the lung cancer pathway, from early diagnosis and screening through to staging, treatment and research. Our results in the National Lung Cancer Audit are outstanding. We are part of Cancer Research UK’s Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence and are recognised globally as one of the premier research centres in lung cancer. We lead several internationally renowned trials including TRACERx and the SUMMIT study. A key component of the centre is a focus on early detection of lung cancer and rapid diagnosis.
Our centre brings together:
- advanced bronchoscopy expertise
- integrated lung cancer MDT working
- diagnostic and therapeutic airway procedures
- specialist experience in lung nodules and early diagnosis
- access to research, innovation and clinical trials
UCLH is actively involved in research and innovation aimed at improving the early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Our bronchoscopy service works closely with academic partners at University College London and participates in national and international studies focused on lung cancer screening, advanced bronchoscopy technologies and minimally invasive airway therapies.
Research within the centre includes studies evaluating robotic bronchoscopy, advanced imaging guidance, novel diagnostic techniques and endobronchial treatment approaches such microwave lung ablation. These programmes aim to improve diagnostic accuracy, enable earlier detection of lung cancer and expand minimally invasive treatment options for patients.
Where appropriate, patients may be offered the opportunity to take part in clinical studies that contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Patient contact
General enquiries
Service management
Natalie Samuel
UCLH Centre for Advanced Bronchoscopy and Endoluminal Therapy
University College London Hospital
3rd Floor Central
250 Euston Road
London
NW1 2PG
Referrals for suspected lung cancer:
Tel: 0203 447 8067
Email: uclh.
Referrals for bronchoscopy:
Tel: 07976 910 653
Email: uclh.
Who may be referred
Patients may be referred to our service if they have:
- a lung nodule requiring biopsy
- suspected early lung cancer
- mediastinal lymph nodes requiring EBUS assessment
- lung tumour that needs ablation (usually when surgery or radiotherapy is not recommended)
- an airway tumour causing narrowing, obstruction or bleeding
- tracheal or bronchial narrowing requiring specialist assessment
- pre-malignant airway abnormalities requiring surveillance
