Treatment of carcinoid of the lung.
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary carcinoids are rare neuroendocrine malignancies that comprise 2% of primary lung tumors. During the last few years, important information has appeared in the literature in relation to the histopathology, molecular biology, biologic behavior, and treatment of these tumors.


RESULTS
Histologic subclassification of carcinoid tumors into atypical and typical is of paramount importance. Genetic changes in these subclasses are now well-known and are helpful for the differentiation. The biologic behavior of typical and atypical carcinoids is completely different, and treatment planning is based on this information. Surgery is the treatment of choice for localized carcinoid tumors and includes lymphadenectomy. In metastatic disease, chemotherapy with a cisplatin-based or streptozotocin-based combination is moderately effective. Palliation with biotherapy including interferon, somatostatin analogs, and octreotide is encouraging. Liver embolization is an option for symptomatic liver involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary carcinoids are rare tumors, and our understanding of their histopathology and biologic behavior are the most important factors for treatment planning. Surgery is the treatment of choice for cure.
Kosmidis
Paris A
PA
Department of Medical Oncology, Hygeia Hospital, Tsoha 2, 11521 Athens, Greece. parkosmi@otenet.gr
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents