Tumors can cause airway obstruction by:
(1) extrinsic compression of the airways
(2) infiltration of airway structures with luminal narrowing
(3) intraluminal growth
Benign tumors associated with airway obstruction:
(1) lipomas
(2) hemangiomas
(3) benign endobronchial tumor (carcinoid, other)
Malignant tumors associated with airway obstruction:
(1) malignant tumors of the tongue
(2) malignant tumors of the oropharynx or pharynx
(3) malignant tumors of the thyroid
(4) malignant tumors of the trachea
(5) malignant tumors of the bronchus or lung
(6) malignant mediastinal tumors (germ cell tumors, malignant lymphoma)
(7) malignant tumor of the esophagus
