Is Tracheal Cancer Curable?

Tracheal cancer may sometimes be easily removed surgically, but these rare tumors tend to be quite deadly as people usually do not notice symptoms or start treatment until the cancer is significantly advanced. In general, only 15% of people are alive three years after a tracheal cancer diagnosis.

Tracheal cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs when cells in the trachea (windpipe) grow out of control. 

The most common types of tracheal tumors include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Most common type of tracheal tumor 
• Fast-growing and usually develops in the lower portion of the trachea
  • Adenoid cystic carcinoma
• Slow-growing tumors that can eventually close off the airway as they progress
  • Carcinoid tumors 
• Slow growing, though more likely to be found in the bronchi than the trachea

Early symptoms of tracheal cancer are often mistaken for other respiratory disorders, such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Symptoms of tracheal cancer include:

• Dry, nonproductive cough
• Coughing up blood
• Difficult or labored breathing
• High-pitched sound when inhaling (stridor)
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath after exercise
• Difficulty swallowing  
• Recurrent fever, chills, and pneumonia 
• Hoarseness (usually a sign the cancer has spread beyond the trachea)

Squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of tracheal tumor, is linked to smoking. The cause of other types of tracheal cancers are unknown. 

Tracheal cancer is diagnosed with a physical examination and patient history, and tests such as: 

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan 
• Chest X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan 
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Laryngoscopy
• Bronchoscopy
• Biopsy
• Pulmonary function testing

Treatment for tracheal cancer may include one or more of the following: 

• Surgical removal of the tumor (resection) 
• Bronchoscopic treatments
  • Laser therapy to vaporize tumor tissue with a highly focused beam of light 
  • Spray cryotherapy applies liquid nitrogen to the tumor to freeze it so a surgeon can remove it
  • Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation delivered directly to the tumor site, minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue
  • Photodynamic therapy uses a strong light to activate a photosensitive chemical that is applied to the tumor, which destroys abnormal tissue and minimizes damage to surrounding tissue
  • Argon beam coagulation is similar to laser therapy and uses electricity and argon gas in combination with other bronchoscopic treatments to kill tumor tissue
  • Rigid coring is a palliative procedure that involves inserting a rigid bronchoscope into the trachea and pushing it through the center of the tumor to open up the airway
• Radiation therapy
  • External-beam radiation
  • Localized internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy)
• Chemotherapy
  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin
  • Carboplatin

Tracheal cancer may be able to be cured if it is diagnosed early, before it has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. About 10% of cases of tracheal cancer have tumors that are able to be completely removed.