Endobronchial Tumors in Children: An Uncommon Clinical Entity

We performed a retrospective chart review of 10 children in whom endobronchial tumors were diagnosed in a tertiary-care children's medical center from 1988 to 1998. Of the 10 patients, 6 were male and 4 were female (8 white, 1 Hispanic, 1 African American). The mean age at presentation was 5.2 years. Eight tumors were benign, and 2 were malignant; 4 were on the right side, 3 were on the left side, and 3 were bilateral. Histologic findings included 3 bronchial papillomas, 3 inflammatory masses, 1 endobronchial hemangioma, 1 leiomyoma, 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and 1 bronchial carcinoid. Endobronchial tumors in children are a rare disorder. The diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion in children with atypical or chronic respiratory complaints. Newer adjuvant medical therapies and surgical innovations offer improved disease control in these patients, and a multidisciplinary approach is often warranted.