Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors form from neuroendocrine cells in the lungs, most often in the lining of the bronchi. They are a distinct tumor group that differs from more familiar lung cancers like adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and classification depends on cell abnormality and growth aggressiveness.
The World Health Organization recognizes four major categories of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors:
- Typical carcinoid tumors: low-grade, slow-growing tumors with a lower likelihood of spreading beyond the lung
- Atypical carcinoid tumors: intermediate-grade tumors more likely to spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body
- Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC): an aggressive, poorly differentiated cancer requiring intensive treatment in many cases
- Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC): a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancer known for rapid spread and the need for prompt intervention
Besides the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs are the most common location for neuroendocrine tumors, representing approximately 20% to 30% of all neuroendocrine neoplasms. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, or repeated lung infections from airway obstruction. In the less common cases where excess hormones are involved, flushing, diarrhea, or heart palpitations may also occur.
Because pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors can be slow-growing, many patients experience no symptoms in the early stages. Anyone with a known history of asbestos exposure is encouraged to pursue regular medical screening, as catching issues early significantly improves treatment outcomes.
How asbestos causes pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they reach deep into the bronchial passages and become lodged permanently in lung tissue. The body has no means to break them down or expel them, so they remain lodged indefinitely, producing persistent inflammation and progressive scarring of the surrounding tissue. Decades of this chronic damage can disrupt normal cell behavior in the bronchial lining and create an environment where neuroendocrine cells undergo malignant transformation.
Asbestos fibers were found in 25% of patients diagnosed with pulmonary carcinoid tumors in a 2014 study published in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene, giving direct biological evidence of the link between asbestos accumulation in lung tissue and this cancer. Workers in industries with sustained asbestos use, including construction, shipbuilding, insulation installation, and manufacturing, as well as military veterans who served in environments where asbestos was heavily present, carry the highest fiber burden and face an elevated risk of developing this disease.
Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors also carry a long latency period. It can take between 20 and 50 years after initial exposure for a tumor to develop, meaning a diagnosis received today may be directly traceable to workplace or military exposure that occurred several decades earlier.
Does a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor qualify for an asbestos claim?
Eligibility for an asbestos exposure claim depends on where the neuroendocrine tumor originated. A neuroendocrine tumor that originated in the lung qualifies. A neuroendocrine tumor that originated anywhere else in the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, or adrenal glands, does not qualify under asbestos exposure claims.
If you have been diagnosed with a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor and have a documented history of occupational or military asbestos exposure, your case falls within the category that may be eligible for compensation.
Seek legal help for your asbestos-related pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor
A pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis tied to decades of asbestos exposure carries serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Treatment costs, lost income, and the demands of managing a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you may not have to face them without support.
With over 35 years of experience representing asbestos exposure victims, ELG Law can review your case at no charge and determine whether you qualify to file a claim. Relatives of individuals who passed away as a result of an asbestos-related pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor may also be eligible to seek compensation. Contact our legal team today to have your case assessed.