Is DIPNECH a cancer?

Is DIPNECH a cancer?

DIPNECH is recognised by the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lung tumours as a pre-neoplastic lesion [5]. In fact, while overall there are insufficient well-documented data to support it as a pre-neoplastic condition, DIPNECH is generally thought of as a precursor for malignancy.

What is DIPNECH?

Background: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a pulmonary disorder with neuroendocrine cell proliferation with potential progression to lung neuroendocrine tumor (Lu-NET). Optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies have yet to be well defined.

How is DIPNECH treated?

Currently, the management and treatment options for DIPNECH have included clinical observation, oral and inhaled steroids, chemotherapy, surgical lung resection, and even lung transplantation [3,4,9,10].

What causes neuroendocrine lung cancer?

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) Around 3 out of every 100 lung cancers (3%) diagnosed in the UK every year are large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. They are usually caused by smoking.

Is DIPNECH fatal?

The clinical course however, is characterized by slowly progressive, unspecific pulmonary symptoms such as long-lasting dry cough, wheezing and exertional dyspnoea [2,4-8]. Nonetheless, DIPNECH can also cause severe airflow obstruction and respiratory failure which can prove fatal [2,3,7,9].

Is DIPNECH genetic?

Only 40 cases of DIPNECH have been reported in the literature to date [1] and there are no predictive histological or genetic data available so far. However, it has become generally accepted that DIPNECH is a precursor to pulmonary carcinoid tumors [3].

How long can you live with carcinoid tumors?

If the lung carcinoid tumor has spread to the lymph nodes, five-year survival rates can range from 37 to 80%. Life expectancy is not good for the carcinoid tumor that has spread to other organs of the body….What Is the Survival Rate for a Carcinoid Tumor?

What triggers carcinoid syndrome?

Carcinoid syndrome is caused by a carcinoid tumor that secretes serotonin or other chemicals into your bloodstream. Carcinoid tumors occur most often in the gastrointestinal tract, including your stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon and rectum.