Tracheal Tumors

The trachea or windpipe is the tube that starts at the larynx (voice box) under the throat, and goes towards the lungs, where it divides into two tubes called bronchi. It is part of the respiratory system (Read about "Respiratory System") Tumors of the trachea are not common. These tumors can be malignant, meaning they are cancerous. (Read about "Cancer: What It Is") They can also be benign or non-cancerous.

Types of tumors that can start in the trachea include:

• adenoid cystic carcinomas
• squamous carcinomas
• benign tumors and low-grade cancers

Tracheal tumors can be discovered during diagnoses for other conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. (Read about "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" "Asthma") Smoking (Read about "Quit Smoking") is a risk factor for tracheal tumor formation, but non-smokers can develop tracheal tumors too. Symptoms of tracheal tumors can include:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• recurring pneumonia (Read about "Pneumonia")

These symptoms can indicate many other problems, so it is important that anyone with such symptoms see their doctor. Bronchoscopy can be used to examine the air passages. A bronchoscope is an endoscope, or thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. (Read about "Endoscopy") Other diagnostic procedures can include CT scan, MRI and biopsy. (Read about "CT Scan - Computerized Tomography" "MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging" "Biopsy")

If a tracheal tumor is present, surgery is often recommended, due to the potential for airway obstruction by the tumor.

Related Information:

    Head and Neck Cancers