Among the endobronchial growths the so-called bronchial adenoma has come to be recognized as a fairly definite clinical and pathologic entity. Because bronchoscopic examinations and biopsies are performed more frequently today than in the past in dealing with doubtful pulmonary conditions, the diagnosis of bronchial adenoma is being made with increasing frequency. Owing to the gaps in present knowledge of tumors of this type, especially regarding their ultimate outcome, final decision as to the treatment of choice still remains unsettled. If these neoplasms are potentially malignant, as some claim, the more certain method of eradication by lobectomy or pneumonectomy should be given serious consideration in preference to any of the forms of endoscopic treatment, such as bronchoscopic removal, electrocoagulation and implantation of radon seeds.
Many articles on this subject have appeared since Wessler and Rabin1 in 1932 emphasized the benign characteristics of these tumors. Taking the clue from these authors,