Pulmonary tumorlet. Report of 5 cases

Lung tumorlets are small collections of neuroendocrine cells derived from Kulchitsky cells of the bronchial epithelium. Such cells are usually found by chance, are considered benign and rarely metastasize. We describe 5 cases of tumorlets diagnosed by chance in patients with prior lung disease requiring histology. Even though the behavior of tumorlets is benign, patients in whom they have been found should receive follow-up X-rays, as lymphatic metastasis in the region has occasionally been described.