Types of Benign Lung Tumors

Benign lung tumors are classified into different groups, but all are non-cancerous masses that may be removed surgically. Despite the fact that these nodules are not actually cancer, they should still be looked at by a medical professional to ensure that there are no potentially malignant lesions present on the lungs. Although these tumors rarely threaten a patient's life, they can cause harmful symptoms and illnesses and should be handled seriously.

Types

Three primary kinds of benign tumors are found in the lungs.

Hamaratomas make up 75 percent of benign lung tumors, the most common type found. They can occur in children, but the majority of these are found in adults and are located on the edges of the lungs.
Bronchial adenomas account for half of all benign pulmonary tumors. This term also includes characinoid tumors and mucoepidermoid carcinomas, both of which are actually low-level malignant lung tumors.
Mucous gland adenomas are the third main type of benign lung tumor. They're completely malignancy-free, found in the main or smaller bronchi.

Identification

Regardless of type, most benign lung tumors arise on the lung's outer periphery. These non-life-threatening nodules can also be found within the lungs' centrally located tracheobronchal tree.
The most common type of benign lung tumor, hamaratomas, occur on the lungs' periphery and are generally made up of fat, cartilage and epithelial cell tissue. They are firm and marble-like growths.
Bronchial adenomas sprout from mucous glands and tracheal (or windpipe) ducts and are identified by their ability to spread very slowly, since they are low-grade malignant tumors.
Found in both the main and local bronchi, mucous gland adenomas are column-like in appearance and are sometimes shaped like small mushrooms.

Time Frame

The average patient diagnosed with benign lung tumors is 45 to 50 years old, and the incidence of the hamaratoma benign lung tumor peaks in patients from 50 to 60.
Meanwhile, a mere 6 percent of common benign tumors of the lung have been found in patients younger than 30. These cases are also very rare among children and adolescents.

Considerations

Doctors can opt to perform surgery to remove benign lung tumors, and do so primarily to ensure there are no potentially harmful lesions on the lungs. Cancer-free lung masses are also frequently removed in cases where they provoke troublesome symptoms, such as pneumonia or collapsing lung tissue.

Warning

Detecting the symptoms of benign lung tumors are key in leading to their diagnosis and removal. Symptoms include a range of behaviors such as persistent coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up of blood, fever or a rattling sound in the lungs. Although non-cancerous tumors of the lung generally don't endanger a patient's health, some can obstruct the lungs, facilitating pneumonia, lung tissue collapse and difficulty breathing.

Resources

• Authoritative overview of benign lung tumors.
• Emedicine article with further information.
• Overview of most common benign lung tumor.