Central airway obstruction caused by adenoid cystic carcinoma in pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Malignancy complicates one in a thousand pregnancies. The most frequently diagnosed of these are breast, cervical, melanoma, ovarian, and haematological neoplasms. Tumours of respiratory origin are very uncommon during pregnancy. We present a case of tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare type of primary airway tumour, diagnosed in a pregnant woman. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case of tracheal ACC complicating pregnancy. We discuss potential barriers to timely diagnosis of malignancies during pregnancy and consider optimal management strategies, taking into account the potential harm to the mother and foetus in a field with a limited evidence base.

Tracheal Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Mimicking Deteriorated Bronchial Asthma during Pregnancy

“…Primary bronchial tumors are extremely rare [ 1 , 2 ]. As the disease progresses, the tumor obstructs the airway, resulting in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, pneumonia, and dyspnea.…”

“…As the disease progresses, the tumor obstructs the airway, resulting in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, pneumonia, and dyspnea. Since these symptoms are not specific to this disease, primary bronchial tumors are often misdiagnosed as bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ 2 ]. This case report describes a bronchial tumor which mimicked deteriorating bronchial asthma in a pregnant patient.…”

Interventional bronchoscopic management of recalcitrant adenoid cystic carcinoma obstructing central airways

“…Previous studies have not found an association between smoking status and ACC or a gender predilection for this tumor. In contrast, our study included disproportionately more non-smoking male patients 1,2 .…”

“…Malignant airway obstruction should be considered in patients with obstructive airway disease not responding to bronchodilators and inhaled steroids. When patients with ACC develop new symptoms during follow-up, the possibility of disease recurrence should be considered before attributing the symptoms to comorbidities or side effects of oncologic treatment 1,2,7 .…”

“…In patients who have already been diagnosed with ACC, worsening respiratory symptoms can be erroneously attributed to comorbidities or side effects of oncologic treatments. Consequently, both the initial diagnosis and the detection of disease progression can be delayed 1,2 .…”