Primary tracheal tumors : characteristics and management

Abstract

Introduction: Primary tracheal tumors are rare. They represent less than 1% of primary tumors of the chest. However, they are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Our aim was to study the characteristics and management of primary tracheal tumors

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data from patients who were operated for primary tracheal tumors within 17 years at the thoracic surgery department of Abderrahmen Mami Hospital Ariana – Tunisia

Results: There were 5 women and 4 men.The main symptom was dyspnea, accompanied with dysphonia in 1 case and dysphagia in another case. Bronchoscopy showed the lesion within the lumen in all cases. The median size of the tumor was 32.5 mm.The tumor was located in the upper third of the trachea (2 cases), the middle third (4 cases) and the lower third (3 cases). A tissue diagnosis was obtained in all patients by direct biopsy at bronchoscopy. Pathological study revealed : adenoid cystic carcinoma (4 cases), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (1 case), carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (1 case), schwannoma (1 case), glomus tumor (1 case) and cylindroma (1 case). All patients were managed by resection with reconstruction by primary anastomosis. Neck-collar incision was used in 4 cases, median sternotomy in 3 cases and posterolateral thoracotomy in 2 cases. Negative margin resection was achieved in 6 cases. The postoperative course was complicated in 3 cases. Two weeks postoperatively, bronchoscopy showed satisfactory lumen (6 cases), a lesion in the carina (1 case) and a reduced lumen (2 cases)

Conclusion: Primary tracheal tumors are the least common neoplasic lesions of the airways. Non specific symptoms delay diagnosis. Resection with primary reconstruction should be preferred in initial treatment