[Tumor of the tracheobronchus]

Tumors of the tracheobronchus consist of tracheobronchial gland tumor, squamous cell carcinoma, and other tumors. Tracheobronchial gland tumors, such as adenoid cystic carcinoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma, are rare tumors, and resemble salivary gland tumors pathologically. Surgical complete resection should be considered if possible. Radiotherapy alone results in less survival compared to complete resection. Radiotherapy or palliative bronchoscopic recanalization is a choice of therapy when unresectable. Over all survival rate after operation has been reported to be 66-79% at 5-year and 51-57% at 10-year. Mortality of the surgery is less than 5% in Japan. Adjuvant radiotherapy is often adopted when surgical margin is pathologically positive, since adenoid cystic carcinoma is thought to be radiosensitive tumor.