A Case of Aggressively Growing Tracheal Cancer

Abstract

Background. Laryngeal and tracheal cancers are likely to develop double primary cancers in patients with a heavy smoking history. The clinical course, imaging findings and risk factor (heavy smoking history) suggested that this case had metachronous double primary cancers of the larynx and trachea. We report a primary tracheal cancer growing rapidly in the tracheal lumen. Case. A 78-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of bloody sputum and expectoration of a part of a tumor. He had received 70 Gy irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx two years previously. Histologic examination of the specimen of the expectorated tumor revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Bronchoscopic examination showed an intratracheal polypoid tumor (tracheal cancer) growing aggressively. The tumor, which incompletely obstructed the trachea, was vaporized with an Nd-YAG laser. After two sessions of Nd-YAG laser therapy, the tracheal lumen was maintained. He received radiation therapy (51 Gy) concurrently. He was discharged in good condition. Conclusion. Clinicians should be aware that tracheal cancer may grow aggressively and cause obstruction of the trachea.