Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Leaders in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Tracheal Cancer

Cancer of the trachea or windpipe involves the airway that goes from your larynx (voice box) to your bronchi. Tracheal cancer originates in the trachea or it can develop from cancer in other organs spreading to other parts of the body. The tumors in this region are rare, so patients need specialized care from experienced oncologists.

The most common types of malignant tracheal and bronchial tumors include squamous cell carcinoma (the most common), adenoid cystic carcinoma and carcinoid tumors that are derived from neuroendocrine cells.

Benign (noncancerous) tracheal tumors include chondromas (the most common), hemangiomas and papillomas.

Learn more about tracheal causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Why Choose Us for Tracheal Cancer Treatment

Together with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, we have the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, meeting the highest standards in cancer research, treatment, prevention and education in the nation. We offer the most advanced treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and access to clinical trials, many of which are not available elsewhere.

Logos of The Rutgers Cancer Center of New Jersey-Rutgers Health and NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center

New Jersey’s Largest Network of Cancer Specialists

We offer access to New Jersey’s largest network of cancer specialists, including nationally and internationally recognized oncologists, radiation oncologists, advanced practice nurses and oncology support professionals with advanced credentials in cancer specialty care with expertise in lung and thoracic cancers.

Our Oncology Nurse Navigators Will Guide You Through Your Tracheal Cancer Journey

Oncology nurse navigators help secure appointments, coordinate follow-up visits related to treatments and procedures and guide you through aspects of survivorship.

To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s best lung and thoracic cancer specialists, call 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.

Tracheal Cancer Symptoms

Tracheal cancer symptoms may include:

  • Coughing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficult or labored breathing
  • A high-pitched noise when a breath is drawn in (stridor)
  • Wheezing

Additional tracheal cancer symptoms may present in the advanced stages of the disease. These include difficulty swallowing and hoarseness and are usually an indicator that cancer has spread from the trachea.

Tracheal Cancer Diagnosis

Tracheal cancer is rare and slow-growing, which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is also difficult because tracheal cancer symptoms can be easily confused with those of other conditions like asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To make an accurate tracheal cancer diagnosis, your doctor may order the following diagnostic tests:

  • CT scans. Create detailed pictures of the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes.
  • Bronchoscopy. Allows your doctor to see inside of the trachea and remove any cancer cells.
  • Pulmonary function test. Measures how well the lungs are working and may discover an irregular pattern that suggests blockage.

Tracheal Cancer Treatment

There are several tracheal cancer treatment options. Some are used to cure cancer and others are used to control symptoms. Treatment may include surgery or bronchoscopic treatments alone or with radiation therapy.

Surgery

Resection, or surgical removal of the tumor, is the preferred tracheal cancer treatment for malignant and benign tumors that are confined to less than half of the trachea. During the procedure, the surgeon exposes the trachea and then removes the tumor and some healthy surrounding tissues.

The procedure is complex and can be difficult because the blood supply to the trachea is delicate and easily damaged. Our surgeons are trained to preserve the blood supply and reduce the risk of complications, which increases the chances of a successful outcome.

Bronchoscopic Treatments

Bronchoscopic treatments can be delivered through a bronchoscope — a flexible tube attached to a tiny camera that is inserted into the mouth. These treatments may be recommended for patients who are not surgical candidates.

The most common bronchoscopic treatments are:

  • Laser therapy. A highly focused beam of light is used to vaporize tumor tissue, opening the airway.
  • Spray cryotherapy. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the tumor so the surgeon can remove it. In some cases, spray cryotherapy may be used to stop bleeding in patients who cough up blood.
  • Brachytherapy. A bronchoscope is used to guide radiation directly to the tumor site, which minimizes damage to healthy tissues nearby.
  • Photodynamic therapy. A strong light is used to activate a photosensitive chemical that destroys abnormal tumor tissue while minimally damaging healthy tissue nearby.
  • Argon beam coagulation. Electricity and argon gas are used with other bronchoscopic treatments to kill tumor tissue.
  • Rigid coring. A rigid bronchoscope is inserted into the trachea, pushing through the center of the tumor to open the airway.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used when:

  • A tumor takes up more than 50 percent of the trachea
  • A tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other areas of the chest
  • Patients are in poor general health
  • Patients have an adenoid cystic tumor

External-beam radiation is the main type of radiation therapy for patients with tracheal cancer. It involved a beam of radiation that is delivered from an external source to the tumor site. Brachytherapy, which is a localized form of radiation therapy, is an alternative to external beam radiation.

Tracheal Cancer Prognosis

Tracheal cancer is curable if it is diagnosed in its early stages before it has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. However, because tracheal cancer symptoms are often similar to other respiratory conditions, it is difficult to diagnose early.

About 10 percent of cases of tracheal cancers have tumors that can be completely removed. Less than 15 percent of patients have a tracheal cancer life expectancy of more than 3 years following diagnosis. It is important to note that survival rates and small cell lung cancer life expectancy depend on several factors, including the disease stage.

We bring you all-inclusive tracheal cancer care without having to travel far from home. Our all-inclusive approach to cancer care ensures patients receive the finest care and the best outcomes possible.

To schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s best lung and thoracic cancer specialists, call 844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.

Patient Stories

  • Sisters, Nurses, Breast Cancer Survivors

    Gladys and Grace
    Read More
  • Mother, Advocate, 11-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

    Maureen
    Read More
  • Mother, Wife, 8-Year Breast Cancer Survivor

    Kristine
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
Medical Specialty Services at Bayonne
16 East 29th Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002
(973) 926-7280
View
Cristie Kerr Women's Health Center
377 Jersey Avenue
Ground Floor, Medical Office Building
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(877) 393-5374
View
Center for Breast Health and Disease Management - Westfield
560 Springfield Ave
Westfield, NJ 07090
(973) 322-7020
View
Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7000
View
Community Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast Center
368 Lakehurst Rd
1st Floor
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-3363
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Howell
4013 Route 9
Suite 2S
Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 923-7700
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Colts Neck
310 Route 34 South
Second Floor
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
(732) 923-7700
View
Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation Infusion Center
414 Grand Street
Suite 9
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2730
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7700
View
Jersey City Medical Center Radiation Oncology
631 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07304
(844) 226-2376
View
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
94 Old Short Hills Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-5000
View
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 222-5200
View
Clara Maass Medical Center
1 Clara Maass Drive
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 450-2000
View
Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 557-8000
View
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
195 Little Albany St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 235-2465
View
Jersey City Medical Center
355 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 915-2000
View
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at RWJUH
200 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
RWJ University Hospital Rahway
865 Stone Street
Rahway, NJ 07065
(732) 381-4200
View
RWJ University Hospital Somerset
110 Rehill Avenue
Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 685-2200
View
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Lakewood
600 River Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 923-7700
View
Trinitas Regional Medical Center – Williamson Street Campus
225 Williamson St
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
(908) 994-5000
View
The Unterberg Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center
300 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-7250
View
Monmouth Medical Center Outpatient Infusion Center
100 State Route 36 West
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 222-6046
View
RWJ University Hospital Hamilton
1 Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690
(609) 586-7900
View
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
1 Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 828-3000
View
Center for Breast Health and Disease Management - Livingston
200 South Orange Avenue
Suite 102
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 322-7020
View
Jersey City Medical Center Outpatient Services at Colony Plaza
414 Grand Street
Suite 14
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 616-0470
View
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 363-1900
View
The Family Health Center (FHC) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
166 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 926-7000
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
125 Paterson Street
Clinical Academic Building (CAB)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 235-6200
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Group at Monroe
800 Bunn Drive
Suite 303
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 655-5178
View
Laurie Proton Therapy Center
141 French Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 253-3176
View
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Group
18 Centre Drive
Clinical Academic Building (CAB)
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(609) 655-5178
View
Cancer Center at RWJ Hamilton
2575 Klockner Road
Hamilton Township, NJ 08690
(609) 631-6960
View

Lung & Thoracic Cancer Treatment & Care

offered at these locations in your neighborhood

View All Locations