Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-swr86 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T07:53:11.433Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Primary tumours of the trachea: analysis of clinical features and treatment results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

David J. Howard*
Affiliation:
professorial Unit, The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London.
Vijay V. Haribhakti
Affiliation:
professorial Unit, The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London.
*
Mr David J. Howard, The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, 330/332 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8DA. Fax: 071 833 9480

Abstract

Primary tracheal tumours are extremely rare and present with widely variant clinical and histological features. Treatment methods vary considerably, and few studies have sought to provide adequate guidelines. A retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients treated in our unit between 1965 and 1990. Our experience deals almost exclusively with high tracheal tumours involving the adjacent subglottic region. Squamous carcinoma (SCC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) were the commonest subtypes, and presented with dyspnoea and hoarseness as the most frequent symptoms. ACCs occurred commonly in young individuals, presented insidiously, and ran a long, and often, unpredictable course. Endoscopic evaluation revealed the majority of the lesions to be bulky and obstructive in nature. Primary surgery with adjuvant radical radiotherapy, when indicated, appeared to provide optimal results. Debulking surgery followed by radiotherapy provided effective and lasting control in two cases of ACC. Other malignant subtypes behaved aggressively and progressed uncontrolled.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aberle, D. R., Brown, K., Young, D. A., Batra, P., Steckel, J. (1991) Imaging techniques in the evaluation of tracheobronchial neoplasms. Chest 99: 211215.Google Scholar
Fields, J. N., Rigaud, G., Emami, B. N. (1989) Primary tumours of the trachea. Results of radiation therapy. Cancer 63: 24292433.Google Scholar
Grillo, H. C., Mathisen, D. J. (1990) Primary tracheal tumours: treatment and results. Annals of Thoracic Surgery 49: 6977.Google Scholar
Li, W., Ellerbroek, N. A., Libshitz, H. I. (1990) Primary malignant tumours of the trachea: a radiologic and clinical study. Cancer 66: 894899.Google Scholar
Manninen, M. P., Antila, P. J., Pukander, J. S., Karma, P. H. (1991) Occurrence of tracheal carcinoma in Finland. Acta Otolaryngolica (Stockholm) 111: 11621169.Google Scholar
Nomori, H., Kaseda, S., Kobayashi, K., Ishihara, T., Yanai, N. (1988) Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and main-stem bronchus. A clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical study. Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery 96: 271277.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1981) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results. Incidence and Mortality. Data, 1973-1977. Vol. 57. (Young, J. L., Percy, C. L., Asive, A. J., eds.), National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, pp 8791.Google Scholar