A case of primary BALT lymphoma limited to the trachea

Primary pulmonary lymphoma is rare, especially lymphomas arising in and limited to the tracheal wall without pulmonary parenchymal involvement are extremely rare. Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma accounts for the majority of tracheal lymphomas. BALT lymphoma reveals distinct clinicopathologic features and remains localized for prolonged periods. The diagnosis is made histopathologically. Optimal management of these rare lesions has not been established. But, chemotherapy and radiation therapy all have been tried with favorable short-term results. The prognosis of BALT lymphoma is relatively good. We present here a case of BALT lymphoma of the tracheal wall which had responded to bronchoscopic ND-YAG laser therapy and local radiation therapy.