The aim of the study was to determine the characteristic features and outcome of carcinoid or mucoepidermoid tumours in children. A retrospective analysis of all patients treated for a carcinoid or mucoepidermoid tumour in France between 1984 and 2001 was performed. There were 11 cases of carcinoid tumour and 6 cases of mucoepidermoid tumour. The mean age of the patients was 10.5+/-3.0 years, with a range of 5 to 15 years. Twelve and 6 patients presented with evidence of bronchial obstruction and haemoptysis, respectively. Fibre optic bronchoscopy confirmed the presence of a bronchial tumour in all cases and endobronchial biopsies were diagnostic in 11 of 12 cases. A chest CT scan revealed the presence of a hypervascular tumour in 8 of 12 patients. The distribution of the location of the tumours was equal between the right and the left lung, and, in 9 cases, the airways were totally occluded by the tumour. Complete surgical resection (lobectomy in 15 patients and pneumonectomy in 2 patients) was performed in all cases without pre-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The mean duration of follow-up was 4.0+/-3.0 years. In 2 patients, auscultation assymetry and an episode of haemoptysis revealed the recurrence of a mucoepidermoid tumour, successfully cured by removal of the tumour and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in one child. No death was observed.
Conclusion: Pulmonary carcinoid and mucoepidermoid tumours are rare in children. Bronchoscopic removal should not be performed. With aggressive surgical therapy, the prognosis is excellent. Fibre optic bronchoscopy confirms the presence of an endobronchial mass. A biopsy is needed for diagnosis and complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice. Long-term results are excellent but a clinical follow-up is recommended.