[Anesthesia and Surgery of the Trachea]

[Tracheal Tumours]

Malignant primary tracheal tumours are rare. The most common histological subtypes are squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. These two entities have different prognoses and growth patterns. Tracheobronchoscopy and thoracic sectional imaging are standard diagnostic tools for tumour staging and local evaluation. Complete surgical resection of the affected tracheal segment is the treatment of choice for limited disease without distant metastases. Incomplete gross tumour resection with additional irradiation is an acceptable therapeutic option for adenoid cystic carcinoma. Interventional endoscopy with tumour debulking or tracheal stenting and/or definitive mediastinal radiotherapy are treatment alternatives in either a locally advanced or palliative setting.