Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor Treatment in Delhi

Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor

Bronchial carcinoid tumors are rare, slow – growing lung tumors that originate in the neuroendocrine cells of the bronchi. They account for less than 5% of all lung tumors and typically affect the younger adults, sometimes even in childhood.

These are of two types:

Typical carcinoids: It’s slow – growing and rarely spread to other parts. They are considered low – grade malignancies.
Atypical carcinoids: It’s more aggressive, may spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, and are classified as intermediate – grade tumors.

Causes of Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor

Exact cause is often unknown
May rise due to genetic mutations or hormonal imbalances.
Rarely associated with MEN – 1 syndrome.

Symptoms of Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor

Persistent cough
Hemoptysis
Wheezing
Recurrent pneumonia
Carcinoid syndrome: facial flushing, diarrhea, palpitations

Diagnosis

CT scan or MRI
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
Octreotide scan or Ga – 68 PET scan for spread
Blood or urine markers

Treatment

The most effective and often curative is surgical removal.
For inoperable and metastatic cases – radiotherapy, chemotherapy (rare), somatostatin analogs like Octreotide.
Targeted therapy for advanced stages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are bronchial carcinoids cancerous?

Yes, they are neuroendocrine tumors, but they usually grow slowly and are less aggressive than the other lung cancers.

2. What causes bronchial carcinoid tumors?

The exact cause of this is unknown, unlike the other lung cancers, they are not linked to smoking or environmental toxins.

3. Can carcinoid tumors recur after the surgery?

Yes, though the recurrence rate is low especially for typical carcinoids. Regular follow – up scans are advised post – surgery.

4. Do carcinoid tumors require chemotherapy?

Usually not, chemo is reserved for atypical or metastatic cases. Surgery is typically curative for localized tumors.