ENDOBRONCHIAL NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Endobronchial involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare even in th e presence of advanced disease. Two cases of endobronchial non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma are presented and the findings in 31 previously reported c ases reviewed. There were 16 cases with diffuse involvement in the pre sence of intra or extrathoracic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 cases wi th central airways involvement in the absence of clinically apparent s ystemic disease. Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy is mandator y for all patients with disseminated disease and for those patients wi th primary endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with residual disease after resection, or if resection is not feasible. Older patients shoul d be treated with curative intent unless concomitant intercurrent illn ess precludes combination chemotherapy. Rapid deterioration in dyspnoe a from airway obstruction in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be relieved wi th a self-expanding endobronchial stent.