Trachea and Bronchial Tumors in Children

Tracheobronchial tumors in children are caused by genetic or tumor suppressor gene mutations.

The following are the signs and symptoms of the trachea and bronchial tumors:

• Severe cough
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Blood discharge while coughing
• Frequent lung infections such as pneumonia
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Unknown weight loss

Most of the symptoms of tracheobronchial tumors are similar to the symptoms of asthma, which makes it difficult to diagnose a tumor.

Your healthcare provider will ask for the symptoms and family and medical history. They may order a few diagnostic tests, such as:

• Chest X-ray: Takes pictures of the chest, especially the organs and bones.
• CT scan: Provides detailed pictures of the inside organs of the neck and chest. A dye is injected into the vein or administered orally, which helps get clear pictures of the organs or tissues.
• Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscope, a thin tube with light and lens is used to view the trachea and lungs. It is placed into the trachea and lungs through the nose or mouth.
• Other diagnostic tests:
  • Bronchography: Identifies the abnormal areas of the trachea and lung. A contrast dye is injected through the bronchoscope to provide a clear view of the larynx, trachea, and airways.
  • Octreotide scan: Identifies carcinoids and other types of tumors. A little radioactive octreotide is injected into the blood vessels that travel through the blood. The radioactive octreotide gets attached to the tumors and is visible in the camera.

The treatment and prognosis depend on the following factors:

• Type of tracheobronchial tumor
• If cancer has recently been diagnosed or has recurred
• If the tumor is benign or malignant
• Whether the tumor is completely removed surgically

The treatment options include:

• Surgery: To remove the tumors and sometimes, the nearby lymph nodes if tumors have spread to the lymph nodes.
• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by stopping the division of cells or killing the cells. The drugs enter the bloodstream and reach the cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). Administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly.
• Radiotherapy: High-power X-rays or other radiations are used to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: Targets only the cancer cells and will not affect healthy cells in the body.