Language
English
Publication Date
1-1-2026
Journal
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
DOI
10.1016/j.rmcr.2026.102408
PMID
41940318
PMCID
PMC13050005
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-20-2026
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Pediatric tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), also called pulmonary MEC, is a rare malignant primary lung neoplasm that is typically found in the large airways. Patients may present with symptoms such as cough, pneumonia, fever, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These nonspecific symptoms (or lack of symptoms in some cases) often result in a delayed diagnosis. Chest CT typically demonstrates findings consistent with bronchial obstruction and diagnosis is made via histopathology. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment and children often have favorable outcomes. Here we present four cases of tracheobronchial MEC in children treated at three different hospitals. Our cases highlight the importance of having a broad differential that includes tracheobronchial MEC when a patient does not respond as expected to treatments such as inhaled steroids or antibiotics, and especially if the patient has hemoptysis and/or weight loss. As the use of pediatric interventional pulmonology becomes more common, we may see interventional pulmonology techniques utilized in the diagnosis and management of tracheobronchial MEC.
Keywords
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Pediatric, Lung neoplasm, Pediatric interventional pulmonology
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Hendra, Kalen; Khan, Muhammad Ijlal; Thanawala, Mitali; et al., "Tracheobronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma in Four Pediatric Patients" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7756.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7756