Radiotherapy for Primary Tracheal Carcinoma: Experience at a Single Institution

[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.

Multislice helical computed tomography imaging diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary tracheal tumor in cardiothoracic surgery

Objective

it aimed to explore the value of multislice helical computed tomography (MSCT) in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary tracheal tumors.

Methods

64 patients with the primary tracheal tumor who were diagnosed in Wuxi Second People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 were selected as the research objects. MSCT imaging was performed on all patients, and suitable surgical methods. The pathological results were compared with original CT, CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE), and Comparisons were made using CT three-dimensional reconstruction images to evaluate the accuracy of MSCT diagnosis. Parameters such as postoperative complications and survival rates were observed to assess surgical effectiveness and safety.

Results

Compared with original CT images (70%, 72%, 70%), the diagnostic accuracy of VR images (80%, 80%, 80%), MPVR images (85%, 90%, 92%), and CTVE images (100%, 100%, 100%) was remarkably improved (P<0.05). The three-year survival rate of patients with smooth muscle tumors, malignant tumors, salivary gland adenoma, papillary tumors, and inflammatory polyp was markedly lower than that of the one-year survival rate, with a significant difference (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was 14.1%, with three cases resulting in complication-related deaths.

Conclusion

the diagnostic accuracy of MSCT imaging of primary tracheal tumor was high. The diagnostic accuracy of CTVE was higher than that of VR and MPVR. Besides, surgical treatment of primary tracheal tumor had a substantial effect, with no serious postoperative complications.

Role of radiotherapy in the management of rare solid thoracic tumors of the adults

Thoracic tumors include more than one hundred histopathological subtypes. Rare thoracic malignancies can be defined as representing less than 1% of all thoracic tumors. The European Rare Cancer Surveillance Project (RARECARE) identified rarity as an incidence less than 6 for 100,000 people, with significant difference of prevalence between them. Modalities of treatment for these pathologies include surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies. In this article, we aim to discuss role and techniques of radiotherapy in management of rare solid thoracic tumors in adults, focusing on different anatomical locations such as lung parenchyma, mediastinum, vessels, chest wall and pleural cavity.

Tracheal cancer: a rare and deadly but potentially curable disease that also affects younger people

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of tracheal cancer is low, few clinicians get much experience and the awareness may be low. Recent data on the treatment and outcome are limited. The aim of the present study was to present updated, national data on the incidence, characteristics, treatment and outcome for patients with tracheal cancer.

METHODS

All tracheal cancers registered at the Cancer Registry of Norway in 2000-2020 were extracted. The patient and tumour characteristics age, sex, stage, histology and treatment modality (surgery and radiotherapy) were examined. Overall, median and relative survival were estimated. Cox regression models were used to identify independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The 77 patients diagnosed with tracheal cancer equals a crude incidence rate and an age-standardized incidence rate of 0.075 and 0.046 per 100,000 per year respectively. The mean age was 63.8 years (range: 26-94). The numerical preponderance of men (n = 41) is not statistically significant. Eighteen patients (23.4%) were diagnosed in the localized stage. The 5-year overall survival was 31.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.0-42.9], and in those treated with surgical resection or curative radiotherapy, it was 53.7% (95% CI: 26.1-75.0) and 37.8% (95% CI: 18.8-56.7), respectively. Age, histological type and treatment modality were identified as independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improved survival, the prognosis for patients with tracheal cancer is still poor. Few are diagnosed in the early stage and thus most are not eligible for curative treatment, mainly surgery. An increased awareness and diagnosis in the earlier stage is crucial.