Long-term results of surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and bronchi

Abstract

Over a period of 26 years, 16 patients (9 women, 7 men) underwent surgery for primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea and bronchi. The median age at diagnosis was 41.4 years (range 25-67). Nine tumours were located in the bifurcational area, five in the trachea, one in the middle-lobe bronchus and one in the parenchyma of the left lower lobe. Surgical procedures were as follows: three tracheal transversal resections; five resections of the distal trachea including the bifurcational region, followed by bifurcational reconstruction; two right-sleeve pneumonectomies; three left-sleeve pneumonectomies; two lobectomies; and one explorative sternotomy. Eleven patients were available for follow-up at least 5 years after surgery. Three of these patients (27%) had local recurrence 155+/-30 (range 120-175) months after surgery. Distant metastases occurred in six patients (55%) after a median time interval of 96+/-68 (range 24-180) months after surgery. Five-year and 10-year survivals were excellent, 79 and 57% respectively, but the long-term outcome was poor due to late local recurrences and late metastatic spread. It is not yet certain whether a cure can really be achieved in ACC.