The Five Years Survival after Surgery of Primary Tracheal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Unlike the primary tracheal tumors, squamous cell carcinoma of trachea is common, especially in smokers. This type of tumor has a low rate of survival and it is diagnosed too late on account of late presentation of its signs. The treatment of choice is surgical removal followed by adjuvant radiotherapy; Primary radiotherapy is the appropriate treatment in inoperable cases. In this study, we present the case with a long history of smoking, who was suffering from cough and dyspnea for a long time. During diagnostic evaluations a vegetated tumor was observed about 5 centimeters below the vocal cords. Pathologists reported the tumor as a squamous cell carcinoma, and the patient underwent an operation for resection of involved trachea. Through presenting this patient, we aimed to draw attention to this uncommon malignancy and recommend considering it as a probable diagnosis when evaluating a patient with treatment-resistant respiratory symptoms