The Different Clinical Aspects of Pediatric Primary Airway Tumors in the Larynx, Trachea, and Bronchi

Abstract

Primary airway tumors are rare in children and no literature reviewed their characteristics each location. We evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean children with primary airway tumors, from the larynx to bronchi. A retrospective chart review of children with primary tumors of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi at Asan Medical Center from January 2000 to July 2016 was conducted. Nineteen children were diagnosed with primary airway tumors of the larynx (47.4%), trachea (10.5%), and bronchi (42.1%). Median follow-up duration was 2.8 years and there were recurrences in 21.1%. Laryngeal tumors were associated with a younger median age at onset (2 months) and diagnosis (4 months), and most were relatively small (median size = 5.3 mm) and symptomatic. Tracheal and bronchial tumors were found in older children (age at onset and diagnosis > 11 years) and large (> 15.0 mm). Most (75%) patients with bronchial tumors were asymptomatic and all the patients with tracheal tumors were symptomatic. This study suggests that we should consider different the locations in primary airway tumor based on the age at onset and diagnosis, initial symptoms or signs, and size of tumor.

Total laryngectomy in neonate with laryngeal sarcoma: perioperative management: Case report

“…In children and adolescents, malignant tumors of the larynx are rare. Institutional reviews and case reports in patients under 15 years of age have shown that laryngeal carcinoma accounts for less than 0.1% of malignant head and neck tumors [6], [7], [8], [9], [10].…”

Clinical significance of interventional therapeutic bronchoscopy combined with bronchial arterial embolization in the treatment of hypervascular primary airway tumors in children

“…It accounts for less than 1% of primary pulmonary malignant tumors and 0.1%–0.2% of children with primary respiratory system malignant tumors, primarily arising in school‐age children. Tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be divided into low, moderate, and highly malignant types 6 . It is usually a low‐grade lesion in children with limited growth and metastasis in the respiratory tract 7,8 .…”

Airway Obstruction from a Tracheal Mass in a 5-Year-Old

“…The average age of laryngeal tumor diagnosis was 2 months. 4 Hemangiomas are the most common type of primary airway tumors and 85% of infants with subglottic hemangiomas will present by 6 months of age because of the rapid proliferation phase beginning between 2 and 6 months of age. Subglottic hemangiomas are associated with other facial lesions, especially hemangiomas in the beard distribution.…”

“…In a retrospective chart review, 19 cases of primary airway tumors were identified in children, and 47% were laryngeal. The average age of laryngeal tumor diagnosis was 2 months 4 . Hemangiomas are the most common type of primary airway tumors and 85% of infants with subglottic hemangiomas will present by 6 months of age because of the rapid proliferation phase beginning between 2 and 6 months of age.…”