Bronchial carcinoids

From 1983 to 1996, eight patients with pathologically proved bronchial carcinoids were seen at Taichung Veterans General Hospital (VGH Taichung). Their ages ranged from 38 to 64 years (median 51 years); five were males and three females. Histologically, six of the tumors were classified as typical and two as atypical. The only recurrence was a patient of atypical carcinoid tumor with N2 lymph node metastasis. After review of both the literature and experience here, it was concluded that: (1) bronchial carcinoids are malignant neuroendocrine tumors; (2) the atypical type has a higher incidence of metastasis and a worse prognosis; (3) complete resection with mediastinal lymph node dissection is the cornerstone of treatment.