Bronchial carcinoids. A review of 22 cases.

This study investigated 22 patients with histologically proven primary bronchial carcinoids and in particular the relationship between assessment parameters and survival. In each patient, age, sex, smoking habits, mode of presentation, results of diagnostic investigations, methods of treatment and pathological examination of resected specimens were recorded. Follow-up was possible in all patients for at least 5 years. Patients with atypical carcinoids were 10 years older than patients with typical ones. Eleven patients were smokers, all the patients with atypical and 4 patients with typical carcinoid. The most common presenting mode was pneumonia. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 11 cases. The survival rate for patients with typical carcinoid was 100%, while it was 57% in patients with atypical carcinoids. Patients with limited disease had a survival of 100%, while in stage III/IV patients showed a lower survival rate (50%). In conclusion, carcinoid tumors of the lung are tumors showing a good prognosis. Five-year survival indicated a significant difference between typical and atypical carcinoids and between limited and extensive disease. A precise staging is recommended for a better treatment and follow-up.