[Lung hamartoma: a report of 30 cases and review of 477 cases].

507 cases of lung hamartoma (30 cases reported and 477 reviewed) were analysed. 467 cases of them were of intrapulmonary type, 30 were endobronchial, 8 were multiple and 2 were diffuse. 505 were benign and 2 malignant. The male to female ratio was 1.74:1. The age span was from infant to 67 years with a mean of 41.4 years. 44.3% of the lesions showed no symptoms. The frequently seen symptoms were cough and chest pain. X-ray findings of the intrapulmonary type were characterized by sharply outlined round or oval mass (87.9%), with diameters 3.0 cm (62.1%), lobulation (33.5%), calcification (23.6%). These tumors grew slowly. The average doubling time for 16 cases was 4.2 years. The diagnosis was confirmed in only 18% cases preoperatively. The other cases were misdiagnosed as lung cancer, tuberculoma, metastatic tumors of the lung, etc. The etiological causes, classification, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of the tumors were discussed.