Neuroendocrine tumor discovered in a teenager following asthma misdiagnosis

Abstract

Although relatively rare, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent the most common type of endobronchial tumors in pediatric patients. Their clinical presentation lacks specificity, often leading to delayed diagnosis due to limited clinical suspicion. Mainly classified as low-grade malignant tumors (grade 1), they typically demonstrate favorable outcomes following surgical removal. However, local recurrence and/or metastases may occur in both low- and high-grade NET. We present the case of a 17-year-old girl initially misdiagnosed with asthma, later found to have a low-grade NET obstructing the left main bronchus. Surgical resection enabled complete tumor removal, and subsequent follow-up confirmed the postsurgical recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of familiarizing pediatricians and GP with the need for chest X-rays in all initial asthma diagnosis in order to eliminate differential diagnoses such as bronchial NET. This underscores the importance of a prompt diagnosis and follow-up care in similar cases.