Treatment of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea: the role of radiation therapy.

Eleven patients with SCC of the trachea were treated (ten primarily, one postoperatively) with megavolt irradiation (four in combination with brachytherapy). A median survival of 31 and a median disease free survival of 7.5 months was observed. Factors favourable for survival were the achievement of complete remission, the absence of mediastinal lymphnode involvement, and the use of additional brachytherapy.