Benign tumors of the large bronchi and trachea

The OBJECTIVE was to assess the incidence, diagnostic abilities and surgical tactics in case of benign tumors of the large bronchi and trachea. METHODS AND MATERIALS. Benign tumors of the large bronchi and trachea were diagnosed in 29 (6.3 %) of patients among 445 patients with benign bronco-pulmonary tumors. The diagnosis was made due to X-ray and endoscopic studies. Lung resections were performed in 5 (17.2 %) patients. RESULTS. Clinical symptoms were non-specific. In 10 (35.7 %) cases, the disease was diagnosed during X-ray examination. Computed tomography revealed pulmonary changes caused by bronchial narrowing in 5 patients (17.2 %).The biopsy taken during bronchoscopy detected the histological form of the tumor in 16 (55 %) patients. The exact morphological type of the tumor was identified after its removal. More often, they were polyps (48.3 %), papillomatosis (20.7 %), chondromas (10.3 %), in single cases – teratomas, sclerosing hemangioma, adenoma, mucoepidermoid tumor, histiocytoma, inflammatory pseudotumors. In 24 (82.8 %) patients, tumors were removed during bronchoscopy by electrosurgical or argonoplasmic destruction methods. The repeated surgery for a recurrence was required in 5 (17.2 %) patients in terms of (8.3±4.7) months, three times for two patients. In three cases, we performed lobectomy; in one case, we performed lobectomy with wedge resection of the intermediate bronchus. Pneumonectomy was made in two patients: one patient suspected of cancer after tumor biopsy, the other – complicated with lung gangrene. The latter patient died of pneumonia of the single lung. The mortality rate was 3.4 %. CONCLUSION. In presence of non-specific pulmonary symptoms resistant to therapy, it is necessary to rule out benign bronchial tumors using X-ray and endoscopy. Most formations can be removed during bronchoscopy. In case of irreversible lung changes or impossible endoscopic removal, we should use surgery.