Endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Four patients with endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented. Although endobronchial Hodgkin's disease is not uncommon, endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is extremely rare. All patients had disseminated disease at the time of their endobronchial involvement. Chest radiographs revealed hilar masses and/or varying degrees of lobar collapse in each case. Two had multiple endobronchial lesions. Three patients died within two years of the diagnosis of endobronchial disease. The fourth patient is currently undergoing chemotherapy for disseminated disease. Lobar collapse in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma should include endobronchial involvement in the differential diagnosis. Therapy should include chest radiation in an attempt to re-expand the collapsed lung lobes and systemic chemotherapy. Prognosis is guarded due to disseminated disease at the time of diagnosis.