Tracheal Cancer

Synonym

Tracheal carcinoma, tracheal carcinoma – tracheal cancer is a tumor in the area of the trachea and belongs to the head and neck tumors. A tumor is generally understood to be an unimpeded growth of tissue into a tumor (neoplasia, new formation). This process can also occur without growth-inducing factors.

This is called autonomous tissue formation. A distinction is made between benign tumors and malignant tumors. The subdivision is based on the growth characteristics of the new formation and is decisive for the selection of the appropriate therapy.

The benign tumors grow slowly and displace, i.e. non-invasively into the surrounding cell groups. This new growth can usually be easily distinguished from normal tissue with the naked eye and has very good chances of healing. The malignant tumor, which grows quickly and destructively (invasively destructive) into the surrounding tissue, must be distinguished from the normal tissue.

It is difficult to differentiate from normal tissue. In addition, these tumor cells can spread and cause further tumors in other regions of the body. This is called metastasis.

Classification

Epithelial tumors originate from plate or glandular cell assemblies, which are also present in the trachea. Papillomas are benign tumors of the squamous epithelium, which occur in the skin and mucous membrane as well as in the tissue of the urinary bladder (urothelium). Adenomas are other benign tumors and originate from the glandular epithelium.

Malignant tumors of these cell groups are called carcinomas and make up about 90% of all malignant tumors. Mesenchymal tumors are generally tumors that originate from muscle, connective or supporting tissue. Since the trachea consists of cartilage clips, tumors can also develop from this material.

They also include tumors of vascular tissue and blood cells. The term mesenchymal refers to cells that are still in a precursor stage. Many different types of benign and malignant tumors are also known.

Causes

The main cause of tracheal cancer is considered to be the massive consumption of tobacco and its carcinogenic ingredients. The excessive intake of high-proof alcohol is also one of the main risk factors. Other harmful substances are asbestos, arsenic, car exhaust gases or radioactive substances.

These can cause cancer through constant contact in everyday working life. Genetic factors such as a hereditary disposition or certain sensitivity (predisposition) or the accumulation of cancer in the family are also generally among the causes. Tumors in the trachea can also be caused by scattering from other primary tumors.

The process of tumor development takes place at the molecular level and is called carcinogenesis in medicine. This process is triggered (initiated) by a change (mutation) in the DNA. Often such changes can no longer be eliminated by the DNA’s own repair mechanism.

This is followed by a disruption of the cells and leads to unhindered growth (proliferation) of these already damaged cells. This phase of tumorigenesis is called latency phase. The original healthy cell is now altered (pathologically) to such an extent that factors in the cell that inhibit uncontrolled growth remain ineffective. On the other hand, the change within the cell may also have triggered an overactivity of growth-promoting factors. These are then called oncogenes.