Background: Tracheal neoplasms are rare, the most common being adenoid cystic carcinoma. This study evaluated patients who underwent surgical treatment and postoperative radiotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Methods: Four patients (3 males, 1 female; mean age 49.5 years; range 45 to 51 years) underwent surgery for tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma between January 1998 and May 2004. Three patients had a history of smoking, and three patients were diagnosed and treated for asthma.

Results: The neoplasms were localized in the 1/3 superior trachea in four patients, and 1/3 mid trachea in one patient. In all the patients, tracheal resection and primary reconstruction were performed through a collar incision with median sternotomy. All the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Postoperative course was uneventful. The mean hospital stay was 8.3 days. Two patients died 19 months and 27 months after the operation, respectively. No recurrences were detected in two patients.

Conclusion: Tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a relatively slow-growing neoplasm. In the absence of invasion to lymph nodes and adjacent structures, complete surgical resection may provide an improved survival.

Keywords : Carcinoma, adenoid cystic/surgery; radiotherapy, adjuvant; tracheal neoplasms/surgery