Childhood and adolescent tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC): a case-series and review of the literature

Abstract

Tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) are rare in the pediatric population with literature limited primarily to case reports. Here we present our institutional experience treating MEC in three patients and review the literature of 142 pediatric cases previously published from 1968 to 2013. Although rare, tracheobronchial MEC should be included in the differential diagnosis in a child with recurrent respiratory symptoms. Conservative surgical management is often sufficient to achieve complete resection and good outcomes.

Pediatric airway tumors: A report from the International Network of Pediatric Airway Teams (INPAT)

“…Diagnosis is often delayed because of nonspecific clinical presentations showing variable symptoms that are usually mistaken for respiratory tract infections or asthma …”

“…To date, most of the literature comprises case reports or case series that mainly focus on each histological subtype …”

Tracheal and bronchial tumors

“…They are classified into low, intermediate and high grade tumors, in relation to cell type and pleomorphism, mitotic index and the presence of cystic structures. The most common in children is the low-grade type which is primarily composed of mucous cells (4).…”

“…Although it is not diagnostic in most cases, it usually shows indirect signs of bronchial obstruction (such as segmental atelectasis, bronchial dilatation or distal air trapping) which compel further evaluations. The evidence of persistent infiltrate advocate chest CT scan or bronchoscopy in order to distinguish between congenital lung defects, external compression of the airways, intraluminal foreign bodies or endobronchial masses (4). Actually the gold standard for primary tracheobronchial tumors detection is CT scan with intravenous contrast administration.…”

“…Because of their low prevalence in the paediatric age and the absence of specific signs and symptoms, primary tracheobronchial tumors are often not suspected or misdiagnosed. This inevitably leads to delayed definitive diagnosis and treatment (4). In the worldwide literature, relative little attention has been provided to their management and only few studies are reported.…”