Endobronchial Carcinoid Tumor Mimicking Asthma

 

Clinical features of a carcinoid tumor with partial airway obstruction:

(1) wheezing, which is typically unilateral

(2) cough

(3) shortness of breath

(4) chest pain or discomfort

 

Reasons to suspect the diagnosis:

(1) failure to respond to appropriate asthma therapy

(2) consequences of progressive airway obstruction (see below)

(3) secretion of a biologically active compound

(4) lesion seen on imaging study or endoscopy

(5) hemoptysis

(6) onset of symptoms as a middle-aged or older adult

(7) spirometric evidence of obstruction with a biphasic flow-volume loop

 

With more obstruction the patient may develop:

(1) recurrent pneumonia

(2) atelectasis

(3) bronchiectasis

(4) lung abscess