Diagnosis and staging of "other bronchial tumors"

Unusual bronchial tumors represent 4% to 6% of all lung tumors. These lesions include hamartomas, bronchial carcinoids, adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and other more rare tumors. In the majority of patients these lesions are diagnosed using transthoracic FNA and different bronchoscopic biopsy techniques such as bronchial lavage, bronchial brushing, endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial biopsy, and transbronchial needle aspiration. Thoracoscopic wedge biopsy is diagnostic in the remainder of cases. Occasionally, because of tumor location, thoracoscopically-guided FNA or thoracoscopic ultrasound are helpful in obtaining a diagnosis. Staging of these lesions is assessed after proper resection; however, mediastinoscopy should be performed if preoperative mediastinal adenopathy is appreciated.