What are childhood tracheobronchial tumors?
Tracheobronchial tumors are rare, abnormal growths that form in the windpipe (trachea) or the large airways in the lungs called the bronchi. They can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are more common in children. If a child has a benign tumor, they may need treatment to prevent the tumor from growing and putting pressure on nearby tissue in the airway. If the tumor is cancerous, the treatment is aimed at killing the cancer cells and keeping them from spreading to other parts of the body.
Tracheobronchial tumors form in the inside lining of the trachea or bronchi (large airways of the lung). Tracheobronchial tumors are rare and can occur in both children and adults.
Several types of tracheobronchial tumors may affect children:
- Carcinoid tumor is the most common type of tracheobronchial tumor in children. This type of tumor is usually benign, but some may be cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer that affects the airway.
- Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a slow-growing tumor that usually affects the upper trachea. These tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Learn more at Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment.
- Granular cell tumor is usually benign, but can be cancerous and spread to nearby tissue.