Carcinoid Tumors of the Lung

  

General Considerations

• Formerly grouped as a type of bronchial adenoma
• Average age 40-50, males and females equally
• Most chronic, well-differentiated and least aggressive form of bronchial neuroendocrine tumors
• Metastasize infrequently
• Grow slowly
• Carcinoid syndrome may occur with large tumors or those that have metastasized but occurs in only 2% of cases of carcinoid tumor of the lung
• Carcinoid syndrome is more common with carcinoid tumors of the GI tract

Clinical Findings

• About 25% are asymptomatic at presentation
• Mostly due to bronchial obstruction, e.g. atelectasis and pneumonia
• May produce obstructive emphysema
• Hemoptysis
• Atypical carcinoids are more peripheral and more aggressive

Imaging Findings

• Most arise from a main or subsegmental bronchus
• Usually a mass central in location
• May produce atelectasis or obstructive pneumonia
• On CT, calcification is often seen
• On contrast-enhanced CT, carcinoid tumors may show densely-increased attenuation over pre-contrast studies
• They are not usually PET-scan positive

Treatment

• Most all are surgically removed

Prognosis

• Overall 5-year survival rate of 78-95% and a 10-year survival rate of 77-90%

 

 

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