An Uncommon Primary Tracheal Tumor Masquerading as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Diagnosed at Autopsy.

ABSTRACT

Primary tracheal tumors are rare neoplasms and often are hard to diagnose early due to the non-specific clinical presentations. Prolonged symptomatic treatment for these can often lead to missing out the diagnosis and can prove fatal. A 35-year-old male presented with gradually increasing breathlessness and dysphagia to solids and was being treated with bronchodilators and antibiotics. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an intratracheal mass in the lower part of the trachea and the patient was referred to our institution in view of a primary tracheal tumor where he expired within 10 min of admission. On autopsy, the gross findings and histological examination revealed a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the trachea. To conclude, primary tracheal tumors, even though rare, should be suspected in cases of refractory chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chest CT and bronchoscopy must be done to aid correct diagnosis.