Primary tracheal tumours: 21 years of experience at Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To review our experience of the treatment of primary tracheal tumours. STUDY DESIGN: All medical notes of patients with primary tracheal tumours diagnosed between 1981 and 2002 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: In this period, 80 patients were diagnosed with primary tracheal malignancy, 48 males and 32 females. The median age was 48 years. Sixty-nine patients had malignant tumours, most commonly adenoid cystic carcinoma (50.7 per cent) or squamous cell carcinoma (30.4 per cent). Fifty-five patients underwent surgery, 30 of whom also received radiotherapy. Twenty-five patients received only radiotherapy. The five-year survival rate for all malignant tumours was 30.5 per cent. The five-year survival rates for adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were 40.2 and 24.6 per cent, respectively. Local recurrence and distant metastases developed in 21 patients (30.4 per cent). CONCLUSION: Primary tracheal tumours are rare and mainly malignant. Surgery is the most effective treatment method. Technical advances allow for safe resection of the tumour with a safe, tension-free anastomosis.