Lung Carcinoids: A Comprehensive Review for Clinicians

Lung carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors, categorized as typical or atypical carcinoids based on their histological appearance. While most of these tumors are slow-growing neoplasms, they still possess malignant potential. Many patients are diagnosed incidentally on chest X-rays or CT scans. Presenting symptoms include cough, hemoptysis, wheezing, dyspnea, and recurrent pneumonia. Endocrine symptoms, such as carcinoid syndrome or ectopic Cushing's syndrome, are rare. Surgery is the primary treatment and should be considered in all patients with localized disease, even when thoracic lymph node metastases are present. Patients with distant metastases may be treated with somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy, preferably temozolomide-based, mTOR inhibitors, or peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with Lu-DOTATATE. Most patients have an excellent prognosis. Poor prognostic factors include atypical histology and lymph node metastases at diagnosis. Long-term follow-up is mandatory since metastases may occur late.