[Pathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis for primary pulmonary mucinous epithelial tumors]

The cell origin of primary pulmonary mucinous epithelial tumors includes goblet cells, tracheobronchial mucous glands, the mucous cell metaplasia of ciliated and Clara cells, etc.There are benign, low-grade malignant potential and malignant tumors in this category. The benign tumors encompass mucous gland adenoma and mucinous cystadenoma. Ciliated muconodular papillary tumors are thought to be of low grade malignant potential or uncertain malignant potential neoplasm, while colloid adenocarcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma are malignant tumors. Most of primary pulmonary mucinous epithelial tumors are rare even extremely rare lesions. Similar morphological changes exist in the different tumors. Differential diagnosis for these entities may be challenging in pathological diagnosis on biopsies, even surgical sections. The clinicopathologic characteristics should be carefully analyzed to ensure accurate pathologic diagnosis for primary pulmonary mucinous epithelial tumors.