Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea: a case report of a twelve year survivor.

Abstract

Malignant tumors arising from trachea are not common. This paper presents an example of primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma treated by surgical resection with good prognosis. A 46-year-old woman presented with a short history of dyspnea. Five months before the onset of dyspnea, the patient had mild wheezing. She had no history of smoking. Physical examination suggested primary tracheal tumor. The patient underwent a V-shaped resection of 3.5 cm of trachea followed by reconstruction with the trough method. Histological examination revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was indicated with 50 mg of adriamycin postoperatively. The patient has done well for 12 years with no further treatment. The tumor was an adenoid cystic carcinoma that was slow-growing, infiltration of mucus membrane was few and growth fraction (mitotic index was less than 1%) was low. Those were considered the reason for good prognosis.