Surgery for Primary Tracheal Tumors: Experience on Four Cases

Abstract

Primary tracheal tumors are rare occurrences. The most commonly seen type is the epidermoid carcinoma followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma. Despite being less frequent, schwannomas of primary tracheal origin can also be seen. Of such cases, we had four who had been operated: three for adenoid cystic carcinoma and one for tracheal schwannoma. We analyzed the experiences of our clinic besed on these cases and compared this to those of reported cases. All cases underwent tracheal resection with median sternotomy. One case required additional left hemi-clamshell incision. One case died due to a tracheavascular fistula that developed during the operation. Other cases are at second, third and seventh postoperative years and free of problems. Despite all known risks, the most appropriate type of treatment for primary tracheal tumors is surgery. Radiotherapy is administered as an adjunct treatment to such patients. The rate of fatal complications increases together with the increase in the size of the tracheal segment to be resected. doi:10.4021/jmc53w