Bronchial mucoepidermoid tumor in childhood

The histopathological and clinical management of two children, 7 and 14 years of age, with bronchial mucoepidermoid tumor are reported. One had regional lymphatic involvement. Pneumonectomy was carried out for both because of local spread of the disease in one and extensive pneumonia in the other, which was followed by a smooth postoperative course. Both are asymptomatic and free of disease after a follow-up of 1.5 and 5 years, respectively. A review of the English literature revealed 17 other cases, the youngest being 4 years old. The low-grade malignant potential of this tumor in children is stressed.