Surgical Management of Bronchopulmonary Carcinoid Tumors: Experience over 8 years and Review of the Literature

• Published in: Tumori 2010, Vol.96 (1), p.84-89
• Main Authors: Belak, Jozef, Kudlac, Marian, Zak, Vladimir, Cavarga, Ivan, Kocan, Pavol, Böör, Andrej, Stebnicky, Milan, Somos, Andrej, Tkacova, Ruzena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Bronchial Neoplasms - diagnosis; Bronchial Neoplasms - pathology; Bronchial Neoplasms - surgery; Bronchoscopy; Carcinoid Tumor - diagnosis; Carcinoid Tumor - pathology; Carcinoid Tumor - surgery; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lung Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0300-8916; 2038-2529
• DOI: 10.1177/030089161009600114

Aims and background An increased incidence of neuroendocrine tumors in the last decade has been noticed worldwide. Our purpose was to study the characteristics, surgical approaches and outcome in patients with primary bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors. Methods Between 2001 and 2007, bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors were removed in 11 of a total of 287 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung malignancies in our tertiary referral center. Results The patient group consisted of 3 men and 8 women (mean age 52.9 ± 5.2 years, range 19–76 years). At presentation, 10 of 11 patients were symptomatic, with cough, pneumonia, breathlessness and hemoptysis being the most frequent symptoms. Histological findings revealed typical carcinoid in 10 patients and atypical carcinoid in one. The surgical approach included 8 lung resections (6 lobectomies, 1 bilobectomy, 1 segmentectomy), and 3 bronchoplastic tumor removals. In 2008, clinical examination and chest X-ray revealed no recurrence of the carcinoid and no long-term postoperative complications in any patient. Conclusions In the light of our study and the review of the literature we conclude that early recognition of primary bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors followed by adequate surgical removal of the malignancy are essential for complete remission of the disease.