BENIGN INTRATHORACIC TUMORS - A POPULATION SURVEY IN NORTHERN FINLAND

Benign intrathoracic tumours are uncommon, but their occurrence in uns elected populations is poorly defined. We reviewed all cases of suspec ted intrathoracic tumour in a population (440,000) in northern Finland during 1990 through 1992. Diagnostic investigations included fiberopt ic bronchoscopy and computed tomography in all cases. Of the 653 intra thoracic tumours, 36 were benign. The male/female ratio in these 36 ca ses was 1.25; the mean age was 54 years. Twenty-three of the lesions w ere symptomless, found at health check or examination for other diseas e. Bronchoscopy did not confirm the diagnosis of any benign tumour. Th oracotomy was considered necessary in most cases and histologic diagno sis was therefore available in 24 (67%). Hamartoma was the most common benign lung tumour. This prospective study in an unselected populatio n confirms previous findings in surgical series concerning benign intr athoracic tumours and their histology.