Endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Endobronchial involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare even in the presence of advanced disease. Two cases of endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented and the findings in 31 previously reported cases reviewed. There were 16 cases with diffuse involvement in the presence of intra or extrathoracic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 cases with central airways involvement in the absence of clinically apparent systemic disease. Chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy is mandatory for all patients with disseminated disease and for those patients with primary endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with residual disease after resection, or if resection is not feasible. Older patients should be treated with curative intent unless concomitant intercurrent illness precludes combination chemotherapy. Rapid deterioration in dyspnoea from airway obstruction in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be relieved with a self-expanding endobronchial stent.