Changing times in surgical management of bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor.

The bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor occurs at all levels from trachea to lung periphery. It should be managed by conservatism in airway or lung resection. The long-term survival is excellent: 82% at 10 years in this series of 111 resected patients. The atypical carcinoid tumor (10% of this series) has a more ominous prognosis and requires special surgical attention. Six conceptual changes in the evolution of management of the tumor are presented (the "changing times").