Tracheal carcinoma after tracheostomy.

The trachea is rarely the site of origin of a primary malignant tumor. Causal factors have not been determined, but cigarette smoking is one suspected cause. We report an unusual case of tracheal carcinoma that occurred many years after permanent tracheostomy for benign disease, and we review other cases of posttraumatic tracheal cancer. This study suggests that trauma can be a factor in the development of certain malignant tumors of the trachea.