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Thyroid malignancies are the most common type of secondary tumor involving the trachea that might require removal of part of the trachea and reconstruction of it.
In many cases, tumors that involve the trachea can be resected in continuity with the diseased segment of trachea. In most cases, the larynx -- which houses the vocal chords -- can be spared by carefully crafted operations to preserve one-half of the cricoid cartilage -- the ring shaped cartilage at the lowermost part of the larynx -- and larynx. Tailoring the distal airway in a corresponding fashion can then reconstruct the the area.
Thoracic surgeons at MGH have a great deal of experience dealing with these types of tumors and have achieved outstanding treatment for patients and cure in some of them.
-- Douglas J. Mathisen, M.D.
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thoracic surgeons at MGH |
