Baylor Health Care System
 

Bronchial adenoma

Definition

A bronchial adenoma is a type of tumor in the windpipe (trachea) or large airways of the lung (bronchi) that usually blocks the airway. Although the term bronchial adenoma was once used to refer to noncancerous (benign) airway tumors, these tumors (with the exception of mucous gland adenomas), are now known to spread to other areas of the body.

Alternative Names

Bronchial gland tumors; Mucous gland adenoma; Bronchial carcinoid tumors; Mucoepidermoid carcinoma; Cylindroma

Causes

These tumors grow slowly and rarely spread (metastasize). The cause is unknown. This type of tumor tends to cause bleeding or to block a lung or lung lobe.

Review Date: 8/10/2007
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.