Endobronchial Metastasis in Cases of Metastatic Lung Tumors

Abstract

Among 54 cases of metastatic lung tumors, bronchoscopy revealed endobronchial metastasis in 6 cases (11.1%) in all of which symptoms such as hemoptysis were noted. The primary tumors were malignant epithelial tumors in 5 and sarcoma in one. On bronchoscopy, polypoid lesions were observed in the bronchial lumen in 5 cases, macroscopically attributable to destruction of peripheral bronchi due to growth of tumors which then protruded into larger bronchi. In one case in particular, metastasis to the bronchial wall via lymph nodes or bronchial artery was considered.