G. Rizzardi G. Marulli F. Calabrese Bronchial carcinoid tumors in children: surgical treatment and outcome in a single institution Eur U Pediatr Surg 19/4 2009 (August) 228 231

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors are low-grade, malignant, neuroendocrine neoplasms. Although rare, they represent the most common primary bronchial tumors in childhood. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term survival and surgical outcome in young patients operated on for carcinoid tumors. Fifteen pediatric patients underwent surgery at the authors' institution. There were 11 male and 4 female patients with a medium age of 15 years (range, 8-18 years). All carcinoids were centrally located and symptomatic. The authors performed 10 (66.7%) parenchyma-saving procedures (5 sleeve lobectomies, 3 sleeve resections of the main bronchus, and 2 bronchoplasties with lung resection) and 5 (33.3%) standard resections (3 bilobectomies and 2 lobectomies). There were 13 typical and 2 atypical carcinoids. Three patients (20%) had nodal metastases. There were no surgery-related deaths or complications. At long-term follow-up, all patients presented with regular growth; and all but one were alive. Two (13.3%) patients needed reoperation. The results suggest that surgical treatment yields good results in the management of pediatric bronchial carcinoids. Relapses can be successfully managed by reoperations. They can occur even after many years, underlining the importance of long-term follow-up.