A bronchial adenoma is a glandular tumor in the trachea or large bronchi (the large airways of the lung) that usually causes obstruction of the airway. Although the term bronchial adenoma classically refers to a benign tumor of the airway -- also known as a mucous gland adenoma -- it is often misapplied to malignant tumors such as carcinomas and carcinoids of the airways.

Bronchial gland tumors; Mucous gland adenoma; Bronchial carcinoid tumors; Adenocarcinoma of the bronchus; Cancer - bronchial adenoma

These tumors grow slowly and rarely metastasize (spread). The cause is unknown. There is a tendency of this type of tumor to cause bleeding or obstruction of a lung or lung lobe.

Images

Lung nodule, right lower lung - CT scan

Lung nodule, right middle lobe - chest X-ray

Lungs

Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray

Bronchial cancer - chest X-ray

Review Date: 08/10/2005
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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