Radiotherapy for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea.

Twenty-two patients with tracheal squamous cell carcinoma were treated by radiotherapy alone. Nine patients were treated with 60 Gy between 1982 and 1987 and 13 with 70 Gy between 1988 and 1993 using conventional fractionation. The median survival was 24 months and the 5-year survival rate was 27%. Patients receiving 70 Gy had a slightly better prognosis than those receiving 60 Gy, but the difference was not significant. Patients with mediastinal lymph node involvement had a significantly worse prognosis. Delayed tracheal toxicity tended to be higher in the 70 Gy group.