Oncological tumors in the trachea do not occur too often. Basically, they are diagnosed in men 40-60 years old. In women, tracheal cancer occurs less frequently. In children, neoplasms in the trachea in 90% of cases are benign.
Trachea. Structure and Description
First of all, in order to understand what is at stake, it is necessary to understand what the trachea itself is. This is a tube whose length is almost 11 cm and a diameter of more than 3 cm. The beginning of the trachea is located under the larynx, then the organ behind the sternum goes down. Down the trachea is divided into 2 tubes, called bronchi.
By structure, the trachea is 18-22 dense cartilage rings. The back of each ring is covered with muscles and connective tissue. Inside the trachea is lined with mucous membrane. On inhalation, the trachea expands and becomes longer; on exhalation, it takes its normal size.
In a child, the size of the trachea is much smaller. It starts with four centimeters, and grows as you grow older.
Types of tumors
Neoplasms can be benign. The most common types are:
- Chondroma. These are solid nodules in the cartilage rings of the trachea. The most frequent place of localization is the larynx.
- Hemangioma. This is a growth of excessively developed capillary tissue.
- Papilloma. Neoplasms provoked by the human papillomavirus. They look like cauliflower. The most common problem encountered in childhood.
Speaking about problems of the respiratory system, lung cancer is most often recalled . Oncology affects trachea less often. Most often, the following types of tumors are diagnosed here:
- The cylinder. Malignant proliferation of epithelial cells of the mucous glands. The main difficulty is the tendency to relapse and metastases. This tracheal cancer develops relatively slowly. The patient can live with the tumor for about 5 years. Cases of a longer course of the disease were recorded.
- Squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor develops from the lateral or posterior wall of the trachea. Diagnosed with tracheal cancer in 50% of cases refers to this type. There is a sexual predisposition. The most common patients are men over 40 years old. Life expectancy without treatment is 1-2 years.
- Sarcoma. Most often develops at the site of bifurcation of the trachea. It is difficult to diagnose, most often determined in the later stages.
Of the moderate and rare malignancies, there are carcinoids, reticulosarcomas, neurofibromas, lymphogranulomatosis and others.
Provocative factors
There are a number of factors that can trigger tracheal cancer. Signs of these diseases do not look threatening, but require special attention from doctors. So, for example, as a result of normal inflammation, scars may appear, causing a narrowing (stenosis) of the trachea. If endoscopy is not performed on time, a malignant tumor may develop.
In some patients, the canal connecting the trachea and esophagus develops abnormally. The result is a fistula that causes lung and tracheal problems. Foreign bodies entering the trachea are also a risk factor.
Tracheal cancer may develop due to soft tissue. This is called tracheomalacia. Pathology most often refers to congenital species, and requires constant monitoring. Adults suffer from soft tissue of the trachea due to prolonged smoking.
It is unacceptable to ignore the tracheal clamp. This makes breathing difficult, and provokes the development of oncology. To eliminate the risk factor, stenting is performed.
Symptoms of the oncological process
Tracheal cancer, the symptoms and signs of which are difficult to detect in the early stages, has both common and distinctive manifestations. Common signs for cancer include the following factors:
- temperature jumps;
- sudden weight loss;
- impaired appetite;
- fatigue
- loss of interest in life.
Local symptoms
Specific, the so-called local manifestations that cancer of the trachea gives are symptoms that indicate that the disease develops for more than 8 months:
- The appearance of shortness of breath. This symptom indicates that there is a formation that narrows the lumen of the trachea.
- Choking condition. Occurs in a supine position, during rest or sleep. It leads to the fact that the patient can feel comfortable only sitting.
- Strong dry cough. Symptom may be perceived as a manifestation of bronchitis or asthma, but does not respond to treatment. The cough is worse with a change in body position.
- Sputum discharge with odor. Symptom of a late stage, signaling the decay of the tumor.
- Difficulty swallowing. Signals the appearance of a tumor on the posterior wall of the trachea. The neoplasm grows into the esophagus, delaying food.
- Voice changes. Hoarseness and hoarseness indicate that the return nerves are affected.
- Noise when breathing. It manifests itself on inhalation or exhalation.
- Difficulty breathing. At the beginning of the process, the trachea is able to expand on inspiration, but with some difficulties. With the development of a cancerous tumor, difficulty is accompanied not only by inhalation, but also exhalation.
Each of these symptoms can be indicative of a doctor, so they need to be described in the diagnosis.
Cancer stages
The stages of tracheal cancer, as well as other oncological processes, are determined based on the size of the neoplasm, the presence of metastases, the nature of tissue damage. There are 4 stages:
- Tumor size up to 3 cm. No metastasis.
- Tumor development up to 6 cm. Metastasis to nearby lymph nodes is possible.
- The neoplasm is larger than 6 cm. The tumor causes changes in the surrounding tissues. Metastases appear.
- The tumor grows uncontrollably outside the organ. Numerous metastases appear, organs distant from the initial localization can be affected.
At the first stage, tracheal cancer (photo) does not look too intimidating. This is a small formation or nodule that can be affected in various ways. The higher the stage of development, the more difficult the tumor can be treated. That is why, when symptoms of a neoplasm appear, you should immediately seek advice and help. In the fourth stage, it is almost impossible to save the patient.
Treatment
Treatment options for tracheal cancer depend on many factors. The doctor must establish the type of tumor, identify its size, determine the stage of development. In addition, the patient's age and his state of health before the oncology is identified. If tumors are detected, both malignant and benign, surgical removal is considered the best treatment option. This statement is especially relevant for neoplasms, the size of which occupies less than half the size of the trachea. If possible, after surgical intervention, the missing part of the trachea is restored.
Treatment of tracheal cancer does not give medically effective results. In inoperable cases, combined chemotherapy is carried out with the addition of carboplatin or nedaplatin with simultaneous radiation exposure. Some cases of the disease allow only brachytherapy.
If the tumor cannot be removed, then the airways are dilated with an artificial tube inserted into the trachea. This is called a trachiobronchial airway stent.
How is a diagnosis made?
Most often, patients are sure that they go to the doctor with a protracted cold, bronchitis or asthma. If the doctor gets an occasion to doubt the patient's condition, then he appoints additional examinations. These are usually the following procedures:
- Laryngoscopy, which makes it possible to detect a neoplasm in the upper part of the trachea.
- Tracheotomy, allowing through a small incision to examine the internal state of the trachea.
- X-ray with contrast, to determine the location of the tumor.
- A biopsy consisting in obtaining a sample of tumor tissue for histology and cytology.
For a more accurate diagnosis, an MRI or CT scan is performed.
Tracheal Cancer Prevention
Preventing any disease is easier than curing it. This means that a person should have an idea about the presence or absence of HPV in the body, it’s about the human papillomavirus, which has the risk of degeneration into an oncological process. In addition, it is desirable to consciously give up smoking, especially after forty years, when the body is more sensitive to external influences. Smoking is strictly contraindicated for people who have suffered other types of cancer. An excellent prevention of malignant neoplasms is physical activity, walking, regular exercise without overvoltage, proper nutrition and a certain lifestyle.
It is imperative to temper and prevent bronchitis and asthma. Timely identify and treat respiratory diseases. Once a year, each person should undergo a prophylactic visit to a doctor who, if suspected of having a disease, will be referred to the appropriate specialist.
Medical forecasts
To make a prognosis for recovery, the doctor must take into account many factors. The histological structure of the formation, the degree of obstruction of the lumen of the trachea, the tendency to relapse, and the neglect of the process are evaluated. Despite the fact that tracheal cancer is very dangerous, with timely treatment, recovery is possible.
If the patient suspects tracheal cancer , symptoms, signs should be studied. The patient must undergo an examination, after which the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and make the necessary treatment. Do not forget that the treatment of the disease at an early stage is more effective.