A case of primary small cell carcinoma in the trachea of a young man

Background. Although small cell carcinoma is relatively common among malignant lung tumors, it is very rare among malignant tumors of the trachea and larynx. Case. A 28-year-old man consulted a doctor with complaints of coughing, hoarseness and dysphagia. A bronchofiberscope examination revealed a tumor on the right posterior wall of the subglottic trachea and the biopsy indicated small cell carcinoma. The findings of a CT scan suggested that the tumor had invaded the cricoid cartilage and the right robe of the thyroid gland. Primary small cell carcinoma of the subglottic trachea was diagnosed. He was treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy as follows: four courses of cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (VP-16) along with 30 fractions of 1.5 Gy irradiation. At the present time, the patient is maintaining a state of complete response 21 months after the beginning of the treatment. Although we considered this case to be primary small cell carcinoma of the upper trachea with invasion of the subglottis, it had clinical characteristics similar to subglottic carcinoma. Conclusion. We report a rare case of primary small cell tracheal carcinoma in a young man who demonstrated a complete response to concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.