Bronchoscopic resection of typical carcinoid tumors: literature review and case series

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors have been treated with formal oncological surgical resection, which is considered the gold standard approach. In the past two decades, bronchoscopic has gained popularity for treatment of carcinoid tumors. A 34-year-old female with an unresolving chronic cough, underwent a chest CT that showed right endobronchial lesion. Bronchoscopy and a biopsy were taken from the lesion; pathology confirmed the diagnosis to be a typical carcinoid tumor. Forty-six-year-old male, who was a smoker, suffered from hemoptysis. Pathology revealed it to be an endotracheal typical carcinoid tumor at the carina. Uncertainties, such as chances of recurrence, cost-effectiveness and the inability to achieve formal oncological resection have been discussed and challenged in the literature. With gaining use of this treatment approach, tissue-sparing surgery for carcinoids can improve patient quality of life both in the short and long term.