Tuberc Respir Dis.  2011 Jun;70(6):521-525.

A Case of Atypical Bronchial Carcinoid Treated by Cryotherapy

• Kim HO
• Kim SJ
• Lee SH
• Lee EJ
• Hur GY
• Lee SY
• Lee SY
• Kim JH
• Shin C
• Shim JJ
• In KH
• Kang KH
• Yoo SH

Abstract

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are relatively uncommon neoplasms that are considered to be malignant tumors of low to intermediate grade. They are classified by pathologic features as typical or atypical carcinoids and have distinctly different prognoses and therapeutic options. Surgery is the treatment of choice in typical and atypical carcinoid tumors but the approach has been changing. Recently, several studies have described experiences using other technologies as adjuncts to bronchoscopic resection, technologies such as laser and cryotherapy with curative intent in endoluminal typical carcinoids. Here we present a case of atypical bronchial carcinoid that was treated with bronchoscopic cryotherapy.

Keyword

Carcinoid Tumor; Bronchoscopy; Cryotherapy

MeSH Terms

Bronchoscopy
Carcinoid Tumor
Cryotherapy
Prognosis

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest CT demonstrated focal nodular bronchial wall thickening in distal bronchus intermedius (arrow), just superior aspect of bifurcation of right middle lobe and lower lobe bronchus (A) and a huge mass in liver (B). There was some improvement in nodular lesion in superior segment of right lower bronchus after 9 months (C) and 12 months (D).

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  Figure 2 Bronchoscopic findings. (A) and (B) show the opening of superior segment of right lower bronchus was obstructed by fungating intraluminal mass. (C) and (D) show previous cryotherapy site was near completely healed and there was no evidence of recur after 1 year. (A), (C) are white light images and (B), (D) are autofluorescence images.

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  Figure 3 (A) The biopsied specimen from the bronchus showed nests of monotonous, round to oval cells with minimal nuclear atypism and prominent nucleoli. Some mitotic figures are found (H&E stain, ×400). (B) These showed positive for CD56 immunohistochemical stain (×400).

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