Carcinoid Tumor
Pathophysiology: The commonest site of a carcinoid tumor is the small bowel, although lung involvement is not rare. Histologically, the tumor is most often "benign" and located endobronchially. They may be biologically more aggressive, and local recurrence may occur after resection, or rarely, they may metastasize locally or more distantly.
CXR Findings: Commonest site is within a central bronchus with evidence of secondary volume loss/atelectasis. Rarely, carcinoid tumors may show up as a pulmonary mass or nodules often located in the peripheral lung.
Clinical Clues: (1) young, middle-aged females (2) hemoptysis (3) recurrent pneumonias
The carcinoid syndrome is rarely seen with primary lung carcinoid but may be seen with metastatic malignant carcinoid to the liver and lungs.
Work up: requires bronchoscopy and CT chest
"Aunt Sophies":
- any appearance of segmental lung atelectasis especially lower 2/3 of the lungs
- any segmental or lobar pneumonia given appropriate clinical history
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