RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the experience in diagnosis and treatment of primary tracheal tumors, and to improve the life quality of patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-three patients with primary tracheal tumors treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University during the past 40 years were included in this study, among them, there were 42 cases of malignant tumors and 21 cases of benign tumors. The 61 patients underwent surgery including tracheal sleeve resection (22), carinal resection and reconstruction (6), semi-carinal resection and reconstruction (6), tracheal resection for tracheal tumors (17); tracheostomy (4), tracheal resection, partial resection of the thyroid (goiter) and esophagomyotomy (1), tracheal tumor resection and vertical hemilaryngectomy with reconstruction of laryngeal ventricle and trachea by sternocleidomastoid flap (2), cervical trachea and laryngeal resection (1), and carinal scrape (2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-five patients had an uneventful recovery. Eight patients suffered from postoperative complications, among them 3 patients died postoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary tracheal tumors often present atypical symptoms, are easily misdiagnosed and with poor prognosis. The main aim of treatment remains to remove the airway obstruction.</p>