Project Description

Bronchial tumour affects the bronchial tubes that connect the windpipe to the lungs. This results in difficulty in breathing. The tumour starts at the bronchi and can spread to other areas of the body making affected areas incapable of functioning. Bronchial tumour is said to affect smokers (especially passive smokers). It is a recurrent form of cancer that can come back even after treatment.

One of the common tumours include the endobronchial tumour which constitute 80% of bronchial tumours in children. The various types within it include benign lesions such as:

Hemangiomas – a red nodule of extra blood vessels

Pappillomas – benign epithelial tumour growing in nipple-like and often finger-like fronds

Inflammatory pseudotumours – It is an inflammatory cell tumour forming in the lung. Leiomyomas -also known as fibroids. It is a benign smooth muscle tumour that very rarely becomes cancer

Mucus gland tumours – an extremely rare benign lung tumour presumed to arise from the bronchial mucus glands.

Some of the rare types of bronchial tumour include Glomus tumours present in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Another type is Bronchial adenoma which is a rare type of cancer that starts in the mucous glands, ducts of the lung, windpipe and in the salivary glands.  Another type is Neuroendocrine tumours which may develop throughout the human body with the majority being found in the gastrointestinal tract and bronchopulmonary segment.

Bronchial tumours are detected purely by accident especially when routine chest x-rays are done for unrelated medical problems. When symptoms do appear, they usually include:

  • Persistent coughing
  • Blood in cough
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Fever
  • Facial flushing (redness and warmness that may last hours to days)
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Weight loss and weakness
  • Increased facial and body hair
  • Increased skin pigmentation
    • Bronchial tumours can be caused by a variety of factors including:

      Cigarette smoking – Cigarette smokers form the highest number of bronchial tumour cases by far. Cigarette smoke contains over 60 known cancer causing chemical substances. Researchers have found that nicotine reduces immunity to cancerous growths in exposed tissue.

      Passive smoking – A passive smoker is someone who inhales smoke exhaled by another smoker. This causes bronchial tumours in non-smokers. Passive smokers are said to be at a higher risk since they are likely to inhale side-stream smoke (smoke that burns off the end of the cigarette).

      Radon gas – Radon is a colourless and odourless gas generated by the breakdown of radioactive radium. This causes bronchial tumours in non-smokers. The radiation present in this gas causes cancers by affecting the genetic make-up.

      Asbestos – Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases, including bronchial tumours. Tobacco smoking and asbestos both facilitate the formation of lung cancer.

      Air pollution – Fine particulates and sulphate aerosols, which may be released in traffic exhaust fumes, can slightly increase the risk of bronchial tumours. Women who are exposed to indoor coal smoke have about twice the risk as people who are not.

      Genetics – It is estimated that 8-14% of bronchial tumours are inherited genetically. If a person has a relative who suffers from lung cancer, the risk of contracting the disease increases by 2.4 times.

Bronchial tumours can be caused by a variety of factors including:

Cigarette smoking – Cigarette smokers form the highest number of bronchial tumour cases by far. Cigarette smoke contains over 60 known cancer causing chemical substances. Researchers have found that nicotine reduces immunity to cancerous growths in exposed tissue.

Passive smoking – A passive smoker is someone who inhales smoke exhaled by another smoker. This causes bronchial tumours in non-smokers. Passive smokers are said to be at a higher risk since they are likely to inhale side-stream smoke (smoke that burns off the end of the cigarette).

Radon gas – Radon is a colourless and odourless gas generated by the breakdown of radioactive radium. This causes bronchial tumours in non-smokers. The radiation present in this gas causes cancers by affecting the genetic make-up.

Asbestos – Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases, including bronchial tumours. Tobacco smoking and asbestos both facilitate the formation of lung cancer.

Air pollution – Fine particulates and sulphate aerosols, which may be released in traffic exhaust fumes, can slightly increase the risk of bronchial tumours. Women who are exposed to indoor coal smoke have about twice the risk as people who are not.

Genetics – It is estimated that 8-14% of bronchial tumours are inherited genetically. If a person has a relative who suffers from lung cancer, the risk of contracting the disease increases by 2.4 times.

One of the effective ways to treat bronchial tumour is the resection of the primary tumour via surgery. Most tumours end up being classified as benign (which requires only a surgery).

There are various surgical options available to the specialists for bronchial tumours:

  • Sleeve resection: a procedure where a section of the airway containing the tumour is removed.
  • Segmental resection: a procedure where the segment of the lung containing the tumour is removed.
  • Wedge resection: a procedure where a small wedge of the lung containing the tumour is removed.
  • Lobectomy: a procedure where a lobe of the lung containing the tumour is removed
  • Endoscopic tumour ablation using laser: This is a surgical technique that involves a removal of the tumour through the bronchoscope using laser technology.

Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy are used when the tumours spread to other parts of the body. If this is a solitary mass, it may be treated with chemotherapy directed at the hepatic artery connected to the location of the tumour.