Malignancy in the tracheal bronchus: A case series and review of the literature

Clin Respir J. 2018 Sep;12(9):2441-2445. doi: 10.1111/crj.12943.

Abstract

Background/aims: The tracheal bronchus is a rare congenital abnormality with incidence reported in a range of 0.1%-2%. Infrequently, malignancy has been reported as occurring in the tracheal bronchus. In order to ascertain a relationship between malignancy and the tracheal bronchus, we performed a literature review and present a case series.

Methods: We reviewed 21 case reports of malignancy occurring in the tracheal bronchus.

Conclusion: Although the number of cases is limited, it appears that bronchoscopy is the most frequently utilized diagnostic tool. Surgery portends the best clinical results even in higher stages of malignancy. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of malignancy to occur in the tracheal bronchus.

Keywords: bronchoscopy; lung cancer; surgery; tracheal bronchus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchi / abnormalities*
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • Bronchoscopy / standards
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Trachea / abnormalities*
  • Trachea / pathology