Eur J Pediatr Surg 2009; 19(4): 228-231
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202857
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Bronchial Carcinoid Tumours in Children: Surgical Treatment and Outcome in a Single Institution

G. Rizzardi1 , G. Marulli1 , F. Calabrese2 , M. Rugge3 , A. Rebusso1 , F. Sartori1 , F. Rea1
  • 1Thoracic Surgery, Cardio-vascular-thoracic Science, Padova, Italy
  • 2Department of Pathology, Padova, Italy
  • 3Department MDS&ST, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received November 5, 2008

accepted after revision January 6, 2009

Publication Date:
09 June 2009 (online)

Abstract

Background: Carcinoid tumors are low grade, malignant, neuroendocrine neoplasms. Although rare, they represent the most common primary bronchial tumours in childhood. The aim of our study was to analyse the long-term survival and surgical treatment outcome in our young patients operated for carcinoid tumour.

Patients: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 15 paediatric patients who underwent surgery at our Institution. There were 11 male and 4 female patients with a median age of 15 years (range 8–18). All carcinoids were centrally located and symptomatic.

Results: We performed 10 (66.7%) parenchyma-saving procedures (5 sleeve lobectomies, 3 sleeve resections of the main bronchus, 2 bronchoplasties associated 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 are alive. Two (13.3%) patients needed re-operation.

Conclusions: Results suggest that, in experienced and skilled hands, conservative procedures are the treatment of choice for the management of paediatric bronchial carcinoids. Relapses can be successfully treated with re-operation and they can occur even after many years, underlining the importance of long-term follow-up.

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Correspondence

Dr. G. RizzardiMD 

Thoracic Surgery

Cardio-vascular-thoracic Science

via Giustiniani 2 Padova

35100 Padova

Italy

Phone: +39/049/821 22 37

Fax: +39/040/821 13 33

Email: giorizz@hotmail.com