BENIGN TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE LESIONS OF THE LUNG : A 14-YEAR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE

Thirty-four patients with benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of the lung were operated during 1976 and 1990. Nineteen patients had the operative diagnosis of benign tumor including 11 hamartomas, 3 sclerosing hemangiomas, 2 leiomyomas, 2 bronchogenic cysts and 1 adenoma. Meanwhile, 15 patients were diagnosed as tumor-like lesions, including 8 tuberculosis, 5 organizing pneumonias, 1 lung abscess and 1 cryptococcosis. If the differentiation between benign and malignant tumors is not obtained preoperatively, open biopsy is necessary. Wedge resection should be selected to preserve respiratory function for benign tumors or tumor-like lesions.