ENDOBRONCHIAL METASTASIS

Endobronchial metastases from nonpulmonary neoplasms are rare. Since 1 971, we have treated 23 patients with endobronchial metastases, the fi ndings for which form the basis of this article. Many types of primary tumors are capable of endobronchial metastases, although breast, colo n, and renal carcinomas predominate. The mean time from the diagnosis of the primary carcinoma to the diagnosis of endobronchial metastases was 59.9 months. Bronchoscopic results were diagnostic in all cases. A lthough the mean time for the appearance of endobronchial metastases i s almost 5 years, on examination the majority of patients will have sy mptomatic extrabronchial metastatic disease, the quality of their surv ival will often be poor, and their survival time will be limited (12.5 months). Surgical resection should be confined to patients with local ized disease.