[Tracheal carcinoma causing severe tracheal stenosis].

A 47-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath. She had wheezed for a long time before admission. A flow-volume curve showed a pattern consistent with a fixed obstruction of the trachea. CT findings also revealed severe stenosis of the trachea caused by a tumor mass. Tracheal carcinoma was diagnosed after transbronchoscopic biopsy. The patient received chemotherapy and radiation therapy concurrently for about six weeks. Her symptoms resolved, and a second flow-volume curve had a normal pattern. Tracheal carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of airway obstruction. In such cases, the flow-volume curve can be useful as a screening test.