Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to endobronchial metastases from extra-thoracic neoplasms - A report of three cases and brief review of literature

Sep 21, 2026

Endobronchial metastases are rare and are most often linked to breast, renal, and colorectal primary tumors. Bronchoscopy is presented as the diagnostic gold standard, with histological confirmation supported by immunohistochemical studies. Three cases illustrate colorectal cancer and renal tumor associations, where bronchoscopy demonstrates obstructive endobronchial masses and diagnosis is achieved through bronchial biopsies, CT-guided transparietal lung biopsy, or rigid-bronchoscopy resection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Cases

Conclusion

Key words

CASE REPORT ~~ ~~ Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to endobronchial metastases from extra-thoracic neoplasms: A report of three cases and brief review of literature Approche diagnostique et thérapeutique des métastases endobronchiques de tumeurs extra-thoraciques: À propos de 3 cas et une brève revue de littérature Soumaya Debiche1, Houda Snene1, Bochra Bouchabou2, Monia Attia3, Hana Blibech1, Aïda Ayadi4, Rym Enneifer2, Leila Ben Farhat3, Nadia Mehiri1, Béchir Louzir1 1. University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Mongi Slim La Marsa University Hospital, Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, Tunis, Tunisia 2. University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Mongi Slim La Marsa University Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Tunis, Tunisia 3. University ofTunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Mongi Slim La Marsa University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Tunis, Tunisia 4. University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Abderrahmen Mami University Hospital, Department of Pathology Anatomy, Ariana, Tunisia AbstrAct Introduction: Endobronchial metastases (EBMs) are rare, with primary tumours predominantly of breast, renal, and colorectal origin. Bronchoscopy is the diagnostic gold standard, with histological confirmation through immunohistochemical study. Cases: We presented three cases of EBMs, one secondary to colorectal cancer and two associated with renal tumours. EBM unveiled the extrathoracic neoplasm in colorectal cancer and was incidentally discovered during renal cancer follow-up. Bronchoscopy revealed an obstructive endobronchial mass in two cases. Histological diagnosis was established via bronchial biopsies (collecting duct renal carcinoma), computed tomography-guided transparietal lung biopsy (clear cell renal carcinoma), and endobronchial mass resection through rigid bronchoscopy (colorectal adenocarcinoma) . Conclusion: In case of an endobronchial lesion, the diagnosis of EBM should be evoked especially when the medical history reports extra-thoracic neoplasms. This diagnostic hypothesis guides the histological diagnosis and leads to an appropriate treatment. Key words: Bronchoscopy, Case report, Colorectal cancer, Endobronchial, literature review, Metastasis, Renal cancer. résumé Introduction: Les métastases endobronchiques (MEBs) sont rares. Les tumeurs primitives qui y sont associées sont dominées par l’origine mammaire, rénale et colorectale. L’endoscopie bronchique représente le moyen diagnostique de référence de ces métastases et l’examen histologique avec étude immunohistochimique est indispensable pour confirmer leur origine métastatique. Observations: Nous rapportons trois observations de patients présentant des MEBs dont une était secondaire à un primitif colorectal et deux associées à une tumeur rénale. La MEB a révélé la néoplasie extra-thoracique dans le cas du cancer colorectal, et a été découverte au cours du suivi des deux cas de cancer rénal. A l’endoscopie bronchique, le bourgeon endobronchique était obstructif d’une bronche principale dans deux cas. Le diagnostic histologique a été fait sur biopsies bronchiques dans un cas (carcinome rénal des tubes collecteurs), sur biopsie transpariétalescannoguidée de la masse pulmonaire associée dans un cas (carcinome rénal à cellules claires) et sur le bourgeon endobronchique aprèsrésection par bronchoscopie rigide dans un cas (adénocarcinome colorectal) . Conclusion: Face à une lésion endobronchique, le diagnostic de MEB doit être évoqué particulièrement lorsque les antécédents sont en faveur, afin d’orienter le diagnostic histologique et proposer la prise en charge adaptée. Mots clés: Bronchoscopie, Cancer colorectal, Cancer du rein, Endobronchique, Métastase, Rapport de cas, revue de la littérature. Correspondance Soumaya Debiche Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, Mongi Slim La Marsa University Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia Email: [debiche.soumaya@gm

FAQs

What are endobronchial metastases and which primary tumors are most commonly associated?

Endobronchial metastases are rare. The associated primary tumors are predominantly breast, renal, and colorectal in origin.

Why is bronchoscopy considered the diagnostic gold standard for endobronchial metastases?

Bronchoscopy enables diagnostic evaluation, and histological confirmation with immunohistochemical study is required to establish the metastatic origin.

How is the diagnosis established in the three reported cases?

Diagnosis is established using bronchial biopsies in one case, CT-guided transparietal lung biopsy in another, and endobronchial mass resection via rigid bronchoscopy in the third.

Sep 21, 2026

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