The feasibility of conservative resection for carcinoid tumours: is pneumonectomy ever necessary for uncomplicated cases?
Objective: To assess the feasibility of a policy of conservative resection for carcinoid tumours, to validate this by a study of recurrence rates and survival, and to assess those factors that might frustrate such a policy. Methods: Over 20 years, 95 patients with a final histological diagnosis of carcinoid tumour were assessed for surgery. During this time we had a policy of conservative resection for such tumours, with preservation of functional lung parenchyma wherever possible. Results: The mean age at presentation was 51 years (range 14 81). Symptoms were present in 62 patients (65.3%). Fifty-eight tumours (61.1%) were central in position. Surgical resection was performed in 92 patients. Three patients (3.3%) underwent pneumonectomy: in two because the situation was complicated by destruction or severe damage to the distal lung parenchyma, and in one the initial biopsy was interpreted as lung cancer. Less than 50% of patients were referred with the correct histological diagnosis.
