Primary small cell cancer of cervical trachea: a case report and literature review.

UNLABELLED Primary small cell carcinoma of trachea is even more uncommon and only a few cases have been reported. Our search revealed only 90 cases in the English-language literatures. CASE REPORT we report a case of cervical tracheal small cell cancer. A 67-year-old male presented with over 2-month history of cough and dyspnea. CT and MRI revealed a 1.0 cm × 2.5 cm intraluminal, irregular soft tissue mass in the upper trachea, approximately 2.5 cm below the glottis. A bronchoscopic examination disclosed a large tumor in the cervical trachea and the lesion occupied more than 60% of the tracheal lumen. Cytological examination suggested some poorly differentiated carcinoma cells. The patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy and did not perform surgery. One week after CCR, the patient occurred difficulty in breath and tracheal stent was implanted. The symptom was improved markedly. Four days after implant of tracheal stent, the patient presented irritable cough and hemoptysis. The amount of bleeding was about 300 ml. The hemorrhage stopped by treatment of vasoconstrictor and fresh plasma. However, two days later, hemoptysis was continuing even if treatment of vasoconstrictor and fresh plasma. The patient and relatives waived the further therapies. The patient died of massive hemoptysis one week out of hospital. CONCLUSIONS The tracheal small cell cancer is rare. The optimal treatment is unclear. In general, the strategy is introduced concurrent chemoradiotherapy following as small cell lung cancer. In cervical trachea, we suggest that surgical resection should be performed followed by postoperative adjuvant therapy.