Tracheal Tumor

Tracheal tumors are divided into benign and malignant. Primary tracheal tumors are rare; primary upper-respiratory malignancies account for about 1% of all malignancies, but incidence varies by site: supraglottic 1.3 per 100,000, glottic 2.3 per 100,000, subglottic and tracheal only 0.04 per 100,000. Primary malignant tracheal tumors account for 0.1-0.4% of all malignancies, with about 2.6 new cases per 100,000 per year, of which 8% occur in children. Thus most adult tracheal tumors are malignant (90%), while children have mostly benign ones (malignant 10-30%). Primary malignant tracheal tumors mostly grow at the junction of cartilage rings and the membranous wall. Squamous-cell carcinoma may present as a mass protruding into the tracheal lumen or ulcerate; sometimes canceration infiltrates a long segment of trachea. Advanced cases often show mediastinal lymph-node metastasis or spread into lung tissue, and may directly invade esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve and larynx. Adenoid cystic carcinoma generally grows slowly and metastasizes late; sometimes shows long-segment submucosal infiltration or mediastinal growth. Some tumors are dumbbell-shaped: a small part protrudes into the tracheal lumen while most lies in the mediastinum; advanced cases may invade mediastinum and bronchi.

Common Symptoms

On-duty physician; blood-streaked sputum; hoarseness; dyspnea; dysphagia; blood-streaked sputum; cough; shortness of breath; cough with dyspnea

Causes and Pathogenesis

Primary malignant tracheal tumors mostly grow at the junction of cartilage rings and membranous wall. Squamous-cell carcinoma may present as a mass protruding into the tracheal lumen or ulcerate; sometimes infiltrates a long tracheal segment; advanced cases often show mediastinal lymph-node metastasis or pulmonary spread, and may directly invade esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve and larynx. Adenoid cystic carcinoma grows slowly, metastasizes late; sometimes shows long-segment submucosal infiltration or mediastinal growth; some are dumbbell-shaped with small luminal protrusion and large mediastinal component, advanced cases invading mediastinum and bronchi. Primary benign tracheal tumors are diverse in type and form; most grow slowly, have smooth surface and intact mucosa, often pedunculated, no metastasis, but recur if incompletely excised. Papillomas mostly occur on the membranous tracheal wall protruding into the tracheal lumen bottom, often with a thin stalk, size from several mm to 2 cm; sometimes multiple, verrucous surface, soft and friable, easily shedding and bleeding on rupture.

Treatment

Surgery, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

For primary tracheal tumors, early diagnosis and treatment are needed; select appropriate individualized combined therapy for different patients; with skilled surgical technique and responsibility, treatment outcome can be satisfactory.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Medical Oncology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.