A case of airway stent placement for airway stenosis due to endobronchial metastasis after surgery for colorectal cancer

Abstract

A 69-year-old woman visited our hospital with a chief complaint of respiratory distress. She had a history of laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Thereafter, she developed metastatic lung cancer and local recurrence in the abdomen. After right pneumonectomy, bronchial stump recurrence was discovered. Computed tomography revealed compression of the trachea due to superior mediastinal lymphadenopathy and complete stenosis of the right main bronchus. The situation was considered as an oncological emergency associated with airway stenosis. Airway stenting resolved the symptoms. Radiotherapy was performed. However, superior vena cava syndrome occurred and palliative care was subsequently administered.
Even if patients respond to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, it takes time for airway patency to occur. In an oncological emergency, airway interventions are extremely useful for improving respiratory symptoms.