Photodynamic therapy with local‑targeted perfusion for recurrent tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma achieving 12‑year survival: A case report

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor that originates from the ductal epithelium of the secretory glands and has a tendency for perineural invasion. Primary tracheal ACC is a clinically rare subtype, with an annual incidence rate of 0.04-0.2%, accounting for <1% of all tracheal malignant tumors. Surgery and radiotherapy remain the standard treatments, but there are clinical challenges with the high recurrence rate. The present article reports the case of a patient who relapsed after partial tracheal resection and was considered inoperable. Bronchoscopy was used for airway assessment and interventional treatment, including submucosal injection and photodynamic therapy. After this intervention, the overall survival of the patient exceeded 12 years.