Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis for Malignant Tumours: A Tertiary Centre Experience

Abstract

Primary neoplasms of trachea are rare and uncommon malignancies that account for about 0.2% of respiratory malignant lesions, representing a low rate of all airway neoplasm deaths.  In the early stages of the disease, symptoms often lack specificity often leading to misdiagnosis as other respiratory conditions. In most cases, wherever resectable, surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy (RT) is reserved for adjuvant settings or in cases with extensive disease or those who are medically unfit for surgery. Here we report three cases of malignant tracheal tumors with description of the surgical techniques employed along with a review of literature on this condition. This article underscores the importance of clinical suspicion, endoscopic and CT evaluation in timely diagnosis. Appropriate surgical resection and reconstruction is still the best modality to achieve long term survival with a decent quality of life.

Key Words- tracheal tumours, tracheal resection, adenoid cystic carcinoma, papillary carcinoma thyroid.