[Surgical treatment of primary tracheal tumors in 63 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary tracheal tumors, and to improve the life quality of patients. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with primary tracheal tumors treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University during the past 40 years were included in this study, among them, there were 42 cases of malignant tumors and 21 cases of benign tumors. The 61 patients underwent surgery including tracheal sleeve resection (22), carinal resection and reconstruction (6), semi-carinal resection and reconstruction (6), tracheal resection for tracheal tumors (17); tracheostomy (4), tracheal resection, partial resection of the thyroid (goiter) and esophagomyotomy (1), tracheal tumor resection and vertical hemilaryngectomy with reconstruction of laryngeal ventricle and trachea by sternocleidomastoid flap (2), cervical trachea and laryngeal resection (1), and carinal scrape (2). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients had an uneventful recovery. Eight patients suffered from postoperative complications, among them 3 patients died postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tracheal tumors often present atypical symptoms, are easily misdiagnosed and with poor prognosis. The main aim of treatment remains to remove the airway obstruction.

Surgery for young patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the clinical features and prognosis in young patients with lung cancer who underwent resection. METHODS: Statistical analysis was employed on sex, age, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, in 92 young cases younger than 40 years old among 930 cases with primary lung cancer who underwent surgery from January 1978 to December 1996. RESULTS: There were 92 young patients with lung cancer, accounting for 9.89% of the total cases. They were 71 male and 21 female patients, with the ratio of 3.38:1. The histological types were 34 squamous cell carcinomas (37%), 30 adenocarcinomas (33%), 26 small cell carcinomas (28%), and two large cell carcinomas (2%). On TNM staging, there were 30 cases in stage I (32.6%), 30 in stage II (32.6%) and 32 in stage III (34.8%). Lobectomy was conducted in 54 patients (59%), pneumonectomy in 36 (39%) and wedge-shaped resection in two cases (2%). The rate of pneumonectomy in young patients was significantly higher than that of 18% in older patients (>40) with lung cancer (P<0.01). 57 patients (62%) received absolutely curative resection; 28 cases (30%), relatively curative resection; seven cases (8%), non-curative resection. The postoperative 5-year-survival was 46% (42/92), in comparison with 34% (288/838) in patients older than 40 receiving operation during the same period, with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The 5-year-survivals in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma were 68% (23/34), 30% (9/30), 38% (10/26) and 0 (0/2), respectively. The survival in squamous cell cancer was markedly higher than in adenocarcinoma (P<0.01) and in small cell carcinoma (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between adenocarcinoma and small cell cancer. The 5-year-survivals in stage I, II and III were 63% (19/30), 53% (16/30) and 22% (7/32), respectively. There was no significant difference between stage I and II, while remarkable difference was found between stage I and III (P<0.01), and between stage II and III (P<0.05). The 5-year-survival in patients undergoing absolutely curative resection was 67% (38/57), and 14% (4/28) in patients with relatively curative resection, with significant difference (P<0.01). No patient survived longer than the 5th postoperative year in seven cases receiving non-curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Young patients with lung cancer were more often seen in male than in female. Squamous cell carcinoma accounted for the most part, no statistical difference, however, compared with adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma. The pneumonectomy rate in young patients was remarkably higher than that in patients older than 40. The postoperative 5-year-survival in young patients was considerably higher than in patients older than 40 who underwent surgery during the same period. Favorable prognosis was seen in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and undergoing absolutely curative resection, while worse outcome in stage III cancer.

[Surgical treatment of primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma: report of 11 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma. METHODS: The data of 11 patients with primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma were reviewed. The age of the patients ranged from 30 to 49 years. The tumor situated at the upper trachea in 7 patients, including 2 invading the larynx and 1 invading the cricoid cartilage; at the middle trachea in 2, and at the lower trachea in 2. The surgical procedures included tracheal sleeve resection in 5 patients, with cricoid partial resection in 1; tracheal tumor curettement in 4; cervical trachea and larynx resection and tracheostomy in 2. RESULTS: All patients had an uneventful recovery. Stoma constriction occurred in 1 patients, and relapse in 1. There was no perioperative death. CONCLUSION: For patients with primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma, early diagnosis and surgical treatment are recommended.