Successful treatment of a tracheal squamous cell carcinoma with a combination of cryoablation and photodynamic therapy

Malignant tumors of the trachea are rare, and account for less than 0.1% of all malignancies. Because there are no guidelines based on randomized clinical trials, the choice of treatment modalities and optimal sequences have not yet been established. In most cases of malignant airway obstruction, a single modality is chosen as the treatment of choice for management, but complete ablation becomes increasingly problematic with minimal residual lesions that require additional treatment. There were few case reports of the combined use of cryoablation and photodynamic therapy to treat tracheal cancer. Therefore, we present our experience of successful tracheal cancer treatment using this combination therapy. A bronchoscopic complete regression was obtained using these two modalities, and the procedures proved to be a safe and effective treatment option based on a one-year follow-up.