Large Carinal Chondrosarcoma: Resection of the Main Carina, Distal Trachea, and Orifices of the Mainstem Bronchi and Construction of a New Carina.
4 affiliations
- 1Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- 2CT and MRI Department, Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece.
- 3Pathology Department, Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece.
- 4Thoracic Surgery Department, Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chondrosarcoma of the trachea is an extremely rare malignancy, and tumors located at the main carina are even rarer. Carinal resection and subsequent reconstruction of a new carina constitute a demanding surgical procedure that requires extensive expertise and close collaboration between the anesthetic and surgical teams. In this case report, we aim to highlight the rarity of chondrosarcoma of the main carina and emphasize the critical role of surgical intervention despite the complexity of the procedure. Furthermore, we aim to share our clinical experience and contribute an additional case to the limited literature. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old man presented with dyspnea, fatigue, and cough. Chest computed tomography showed a lobulated soft-tissue mass anterior to the distal trachea and main carina. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed widening of the main carina, clinically significant stenosis of the mainstem bronchi, and mucosal infiltration. Biopsy specimens obtained via mediastinoscopy demonstrated well-differentiated carinal chondrosarcoma. Through a right posterolateral thoracotomy, the distal trachea, main carina, and orifices of the mainstem bronchi were resected. A new carina was constructed and anastomosed to the distal trachea. Gross examination of the surgical specimen showed a well-circumscribed mass with a lobulated external surface measuring 7×6.5×5 cm. The patient remains well 17 years after tumor resection, without signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Chondrosarcoma involving the distal trachea and main carina is an extremely rare tumor. Given the limited efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgical resection with reconstruction of a new carina is the primary treatment.
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BibTeX
@article{viskos2026large,
title = {{Large Carinal Chondrosarcoma: Resection of the Main Carina, Distal Trachea, and Orifices of the Mainstem Bronchi and Construction of a New Carina.}},
author = {Dimitrios I Viskos and Ioannis P Pantazis and Fotios F Danglis and Jubrail I Dahabreh},
journal = {The American journal of case reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.12659/ajcr.953333},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42885117},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Large Carinal Chondrosarcoma: Resection of the Main Carina, Distal Trachea, and Orifices of the Mainstem Bronchi and Construction of a New Carina.
AU - Dimitrios I Viskos
AU - Ioannis P Pantazis
AU - Fotios F Danglis
AU - Jubrail I Dahabreh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - The American journal of case reports
DO - 10.12659/ajcr.953333
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42885117
AB - BACKGROUND Chondrosarcoma of the trachea is an extremely rare malignancy, and tumors located at the main carina are even rarer. Carinal resection and subsequent reconstruction of a new carina constitute a demanding surgical procedure that requires extensive expertise and close collaboration between the anesthetic and surgical teams. In this case report, we aim to highlight the rarity of chondrosarcoma of the main carina and emphasize the critical role of surgical intervention despite the complexity of the procedure. Furthermore, we aim to share our clinical experience and contribute an additional case to the limited literature. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old man presented with dyspnea, fatigue, and cough. Chest computed tomography showed a lobulated soft-tissue mass anterior to the distal trachea and main carina. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed widening of the main carina, clinically significant stenosis of the mainstem bronchi, and mucosal infiltration. Biopsy specimens obtained via mediastinoscopy demonstrated well-differentiated carinal chondrosarcoma. Through a right posterolateral thoracotomy, the distal trachea, main carina, and orifices of the mainstem bronchi were resected. A new carina was constructed and anastomosed to the distal trachea. Gross examination of the surgical specimen showed a well-circumscribed mass with a lobulated external surface measuring 7×6.5×5 cm. The patient remains well 17 years after tumor resection, without signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Chondrosarcoma involving the distal trachea and main carina is an extremely rare tumor. Given the limited efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgical resection with reconstruction of a new carina is the primary treatment.
SN - 1941-5923
ER -