Definition: Atypical carcinoid tumor shows either focal necrosis or mitosis numbering between 2-10/2mm2. Atypical carcinoid tumor may exhibit all of the growth patterns and cytologic features of typical carcinoid tumor.
Atypical bronchial carcinoid tumors are peripheral in location, larger than typical carcinoids, aggressive in nature with tendency to metastasize in 30% to 50% of cases. Calcification is uncommon in atypical peripherally located carcinoid.
On contrary to typical carcinoids, atypical bronchial carcinoid tumors have different histologocal features that suggest aggressive nature with worse prognosis.
See also
carcinoid tumors
bronchial tumors
- bronchial carcinoid tumor
References
Atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung. A clinicopathologic study of 17 cases. Mills SE, Cooper PH, Walker AN, Kron IL. Am J Surg Pathol. 1982 Oct;6(7):643-54. PMID: 7180964
Thomas CF Jr, Tazelaar HD, Jett JR , Typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoids: Outcome in patients presenting with regional lymph node involvement. Chest. 2001; 119:1143-1150.
Arrigoni MG, Woolner LB, Bernatz PE , Atypical carcinoid tumors of the lung. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1972;64:413-421.