Respiratory Pathology for Medical II Students

Lab 1.c Bronchial Hamartoma (glass slide 28000-75580)

This is the most common benign tumor of the lung. Most often, it is asymptomatic and is found incidentally as a solitary nodule on chest x-ray in an adult. Less often, it may grow as a polypoid lesion in a bronchus and cause symptoms related to obstruction. Since this type of tumor has not been reported in infants, it most likely represents a benign neoplasm, rather than a tumor-like malformation, as was previously thought. The tumor is usually composed predominantly of cartilage, with variable amounts of fibrous tissue and fat. Often, bronchial epithelium is entrapped within the expanding tumor.

Slides A & B

Slide A  This low power view shows a well-circumscribed border of the tumor with normal lung.
Slide B The cartilage is slightly disorganized in appearance, but otherwise appears mature. Often there is adipose tissue and fibrous tissue of variable amounts intermixed with the cartilage.

*Questions:

1. What does the term "hamartoma" refer to?
2. What pathologic features characterize most benign neoplasms?

Digital Legends for Labs/Cases
Lab 1
1.a | 1.b | 1.c | 1.d | 1.e | 1.f | 1.g | 1.h
Lab 2
2.a | 2.b | 2.c | 2.d | 2.e | 2.f | 2.g
Lab 3
3.a | 3.b | 3.c | 3.d | 3.e

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Medical II

Updated August 3, 2007