Abstract:
Primary pulmonary carcinoid tumors are a group of relatively rare lung neoplasms. In the 2015 World Health Organization classification of lung tumors, lung carcinoid tumors (including both the classical and atypical types) were included in the category of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors along with large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and small cell lung carcinomas. Due to the low incidence and lack of specific clinical manifestations, the diagnosis and management of pulmonary carcinoid tumors remain relatively challenging. Current consensus supports surgery as the only curative option for localized, resectable pulmonary carcinoid tumors. However, some inconsistencies exist between the guideline recommendations for systemic therapies that have resulted in a lack of consensus in regard to the standardized treatment for the metastatic or unresectable disease. This review intends to summarize the latest recommendations for the diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of pulmonary carcinoid tumors.