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Management of Tracheal Neoplasms

Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Toronto Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Correspondence: Shaf Keshavjee, M.D., Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, EN10-224, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C4. Telephone: 416-340-4010; Fax: 416-340-3478; e-mail: skeshavjee{at}torhosp.toronto.on.ca.

Patients with tracheal involvement from primary or secondary neoplasms usually present with relatively nonspecific symptoms of cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath. Prompt diagnosis often requires a high index of suspicion. Tomography or computed tomography of the chest will often confirm the presence of a tracheal lesion. A detailed rigid bronchoscopic assessment by an experienced thoracic surgeon is essential for establishing the extent of tracheal involvement. Although advanced tumor stage often precludes surgical resection, the application of current operative techniques allows a significant number of tracheal tumors to be completely excised and primarily reconstructed. Adjuvant radiotherapy is often employed with surgical resection to improve local control and enhance the potential for cure.

Key Words. Tracheal tumors • Surgery • Radiation therapy