Abstract
BACKGROUND: The clinical feature, treatment and outcomes of the patients with endotracheal cancer after radical surgery for primary lung cancer are unclear. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the above issues by summarizing the relevant cases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed five patients in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and retrieved 9 cases from other literatures by searching PubMed. RESULTS: For five patients in out institute, 4 endotracheal cancers were considered as secondary to lung cancers. Radical stump resection (n=2), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) (n=1), chemotherapy (n=1) and palliative care (n=1) were performed separately in 5 patients. The patient underwent CCRT achieved the longest progression-free survival of 29.5 months. For 9 patients retrieved from other studies, 8 endotracheal cancers were defined as metastases. Radiotherapy alone (n=4), CCRT (n=2), chemotherapy alone (n=2) or surgery (n=2) were performed separately in 10 lesions of 9 patients. 1 patient with radiotherapy alone and 1 patient with CCRT achieved complete response. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be paid to the abnormality of the trachea after surgery of lung cancer. CCRT may be a good choice for endotracheal cancers after primary lung cancer.