Therapy for Locoregional Disease: Bronchi

Overview Central endobronchial carcinoid represents often the subtype characterised by the least aggressive behaviour in the entire spectrum of differentiation of neuroendocrine tumours of the lung. Being central, they became generally early symptomatic and therefore is not unfrequent, an early diagnosis when their diffusion is still locoregional. As is well known, WHO Classification [1] subdivides carcinoid on the basis of the mitotic count and the presence or lack of necrosis in typical (TC) and atypical (AC). It should be remarked that these tumours, although may have an indolent biological behaviour, are not benign and even the lower-grade TC may be associated with a haematogenous and lymphatic spread. Therefore the therapeutic approach, either surgical, interventional endoscopic or medical, requires always a careful multidisciplinary planning at the light of the distinctive peculiarities of these subcategories. Finally, an accurate and extensive follow-up plays a crucial role even in the cases apparently radically cured. This chapter will review, starting from the clinics of two evidence-based practice cases, the therapeutic options available for locoregional bronchial carcinoids in a multidisciplinary setting