A Case of Bronchopulmonary Atypical Carcinoid Tumor with Liver Metastasis

Lee, Dong Soo; Lee, Tae Won; Kim, Gye Yeon; Kim, Hwi Jung; Song, So Hyang; Kim, Seok Chan; Kim, Young Kyoon; Song, Jung Sup; Park, Sung Hak

Abstract

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are uncommon, constituting approximately 5% of all primary lung cancers. Carcinoid tumors belong to the calss of neuroendocrine tumors that consist of cells that can store and secrete neuramines and neuropeptides. Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung include three pathologic types: a low-grade malignancy, the so-called "typical carcinoid", a more aggressive tumor, the "atypical carcinoid" and the most aggressive malignant neoplasm, the small-cell carcinoma. Atypical carcinoid tumor, have a higher malignant potential, is more commonly peripheral than is the typical carcinoid tumor. Histologic features would characterize a carcionoid as hitologically atypical: increased mitotic activity, pleomorphism and irregularity of neuclei with promonent nucleoli, hyperchromatin, and abnormal nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, areas of increased cellularity with disorganization of architecture, and areas of tumor necrosis. Metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes and distant organ is common. The prognosis is related to size of the tumor, typical or atypical appearance, endoluminal or extraluminal growth, vascular invasion, node metastasis. Pulmonary resection is the treatement of choice for bronchial carcinoid. We experienced one case of bronchopulmonary atypical carcinoid tumor. In the case, radiologic study showed solitary lung mass with liver metastasis and the level of 5-HIAA was elevated. There was no history of cutaneous flushing, diarrhea, valvular heart disease. The authors reported a case of brochopulmonary atypical carcinoid tumor with review of literatures.