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• Tumors of the Lungs
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Lung tumors may be primary or metastatic from other sites in the body. Primary tumors of the lung may be malignant (see Table 1: Tumors of the Lungs: Classification of Primary Malignant Lung Tumors) or benign (see Table 2: Tumors of the Lungs: Classification of Benign Lung Tumors). The most common lung tumor is lung carcinoma, also called bronchogenic carcinoma or lung cancer.

Table 1
Classification of Primary Malignant Lung Tumors Type Examples Carcinoma Small cell Oat cell Intermediate cell Combined Non–small cell Adenocarcinoma Acinar Bronchioloalveolar Papillary Solid Adenosquamous Large cell Clear cell Giant cell Squamous cell Spindle cell Other Bronchial gland carcinoma Adenoid cystic Mucoepidermoid Carcinoid – Lymphoma Primary pulmonary Hodgkin Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin

Table 2
Classification of Benign Lung Tumors Type Examples Laryngotracheobronchial Adenoma Hamartoma Myoblastoma Papilloma Parenchymal Fibroma Hamartoma Leiomyoma Lipoma Neurofibroma Schwannoma Sclerosing hemangioma

Last full review/revision March 2008 by Waun Ki Hong, MD; Anne S. Tsao, MD

Content last modified March 2008