Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
10:01
Modeling Brain Metastasis by Internal Carotid Artery Injection of Cancer Cells
Published on: August 2, 2022
Typical bronchial carcinoid metastasizing to the brain: a case presentation
Simon B Zeichner1, Mike Cusnir, Michael Francavilla
1Department of Internal Medicine, Miami Beach, Fla., USA.
Case Reports in Oncology
|February 1, 2012
Summary
Brain metastases from typical bronchial carcinoid tumors are rare. This case highlights an unusual presentation and prompts further investigation into aggressive treatment options for neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Typical bronchial carcinoid tumors are generally indolent.
- Brain metastasis from these tumors is exceptionally rare, with only four prior cases reported.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the pathogenesis and clinical presentation due to scarce patient data.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old female presented with neurological symptoms including right arm numbness and poor coordination.
- Brain imaging revealed multiple enhancing nodular densities.
- Chest and abdominal imaging identified a left hilar mass and a medial left upper lobe mass, consistent with a neuroendocrine neoplasm of bronchial origin.
Findings:
- The patient's histopathology confirmed a neuroendocrine neoplasm.
- This case represents a rare instance of brain metastasis from a typical bronchial carcinoid tumor.
- Central nervous system metastases are common in small cell lung cancer but rare in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors.
Implications:
- This case challenges the typical understanding of bronchial carcinoid tumor behavior.
- Investigating potential biomarkers for aggressive behavior in these tumors is warranted.
- The findings suggest a need to explore aggressive interventions, such as prophylactic cranial radiation, for select patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms.
