What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Symptoms)

• Chondroma of Lung

What is Pulmonary Chondroma? (Definition/Background Information)

• Pulmonary Chondroma is a rare and benign tumor composed of cartilage that can affect the lung tissue in most cases, or the bronchus (the bronchial airways) in some cases
• These lung tumors are solitary and may be observed in men and women. The exact cause of Pulmonary Chondroma is unknown, but they are typically known to be associated with ‘Carney triad’
• When Pulmonary Chondroma occurs as part of the non-familial syndrome known as Carney triad, it may be observed along with gastric epithelioid leiomyosarcoma (a cancerous tumor of the stomach) and functional extra-adrenal paraganglioma (a non-cancerous tumor affecting the adrenal gland)
• Pulmonary Chondromas may present chest pain, cough, and fever that may lead to complications such as pneumonia and obstruction of the airways
• The healthcare provider may undertake treatment (surgical removal of the tumor) in case it causes worrisome signs and symptoms. Treating the underlying Carney triad disorder (if present) is also undertaken
• The prognosis of sporadic Pulmonary Chondroma is typically good, since these are benign tumors. When these tumors form part of Carney’s triad, the outcome is linked to the severity and management of the underlying disorder

Who gets Pulmonary Chondroma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Pulmonary Chondroma is a rare type of lung tumor that is usually observed in adults
  • When it occurs as part of Carney triad, the condition is observed in young women
  • When it occurs randomly and not as part of Carney triad, it is observed in middle-aged men
• Pulmonary Chondroma is observed worldwide and there is no racial or ethnic group predilection

What are the Risk Factors for Pulmonary Chondroma? (Predisposing Factors)

• Currently, no risk factors have been identified for sporadic Pulmonary Chondroma
• Some cases are known to be associated with Carney’s triad, a rare non-hereditary disorder characterized by the presence of 3 different tumor types

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Pulmonary Chondroma? (Etiology)

• The cause of development of Pulmonary Chondroma is generally unknown
• The condition is known to be linked to Carney’s triad, a complex syndrome of 3 tumor types, for unknown reason
• Research is currently being undertaken to identify the relevant causal factors

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Chondroma?

The signs and symptoms of Pulmonary Chondroma may include the following:

• It is a slow-growing tumor that is usually single
• Multiple tumors may be observed very infrequently
• In some cases, the tumor can cause chest pain, cough, and blood in sputum
• Signs and symptoms of the underlying Carney triad, if present

A majority of Pulmonary Chondroma arises in the lung parenchyma (lung tissue); a minority of these lung tumors may develop in the bronchial airways too.

How is Pulmonary Chondroma Diagnosed?

There are a variety of tests the healthcare provider may employ to diagnose Pulmonary Chondroma that may include:

• Physical examination and complete medical history screening: During the physical exam, the healthcare provider may listen to the lung  with a stethoscope, to detect the presence of any abnormal lung sounds
• Imaging studies that may include a chest x-ray, MRI scan or CT scan of the lungs
• Arterial blood gases
• Lung function test
• Sputum cytology: This procedure involves the collection of mucus (sputum), coughed-up by a patient, which is then examined in a laboratory by a pathologist
• Tests and exams to establish Carney triad disorder

A tissue biopsy refers to a medical procedure that involves the removal of cells or tissues, which are then examined by a pathologist. This can help establish a definitive diagnosis. The different biopsy procedures may include: 

• Bronchoscopy: During bronchoscopy, a special medical instrument called a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose and into the lungs to collect small tissue samples. These samples are then examined by a pathologist, after the tissues are processed, in an anatomic pathology laboratory
• Thoracoscopy: During thoracoscopy, a surgical scalpel is used to make very tiny incisions into the chest wall. A medical instrument called a thoracoscope is then inserted into the chest, in order to examine and remove tissue from the chest wall, which are then examined further
• Thoracotomy: Thoracotomy is a surgical invasive procedure with special medical instruments to open-up the chest. This allows a physician to remove tissue from the chest wall or the surrounding lymph nodes of the lungs. A pathologist will then examine these samples under a microscope after processing the tissue in a laboratory
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB): During fine needle aspiration biopsy, a device called a cannula is used to extract tissue or fluid from the lungs, or surrounding lymph nodes. These are then examined in an anatomic pathology laboratory, in order to determine any signs of abnormality. Nevertheless, FNAB is not a preferred method for the biopsy of lung tumors
• Autofluorescence bronchoscopy: It is a bronchoscopic procedure in which a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose and into the lungs and measure light from abnormal precancerous tissue. Samples are collected for further examination by a pathologist

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Pulmonary Chondroma?

The complications of Pulmonary Chondroma may include the following:

• Obstruction of the airways in case of a large-sized tumor
• Pneumonia
• Severe chest pain
• Large tumors may also compress the heart and impede its functioning
• Tremendous psychological stress in the individual, since it can mimic lung cancer
• Additional complications that occur due to the underlying Carney triad

How is Pulmonary Chondroma Treated?

The treatment of Pulmonary Chondroma may involve the following:

• In a majority of cases, removal of the tumor is not necessary, unless it causes bothersome signs and symptoms. In such cases, the healthcare provider may recommend a ‘wait and watch’ approach and regular checkups, if it is not associated with Carney triad
• The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision, which can result in a cure
• Undertaking appropriate treatment of underlying conditions, if any, such as Carney triad
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important and encouraged

How can Pulmonary Chondroma be Prevented?

Currently, there are no known methods to prevent the development of Pulmonary Chondroma.

What is the Prognosis of Pulmonary Chondroma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis for sporadic Pulmonary Chondroma is generally good with appropriate treatment, since it is a benign tumor
• However, the outcome for Chondroma of Lung in the backdrop of Carney triad depends upon the severity of the signs and symptoms of the underlying disorder

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Pulmonary Chondroma:

Pulmonary Chondromas are benign tumors composed of cartilaginous tissues.