Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bronchus in two children: Case reports

Childhood mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) of the bronchus are rare. They present with non-specific symptoms and signs making diagnosis delayed. We present two children with bronchial MEC managed in a tertiary children's hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The first was a 11-year male with recurrent haemoptysis and the second child was a 6-year female with recurrent unifocal pneumonia. Chest CT scan and bronchoscopy with biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Both patients underwent treatment, including surgery and are doing well. It is important to exclude endobronchial lesions when children present with recurrent respiratory symptoms, since early diagnosis will enable lung-sparing treatment.