Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:139-142
© 2008 Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd
Solitary Benign Fibrous Tumors of the Pleura
Mohamed A Regal, MD,
Abdulla M Al Rubaish, MD1,
Yasser F Al Ghoneimy, MD,
Reda I Hammad, MD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
1 Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
For reprint information contact: Mohamed A Regal, MD, Tel: 966 5084 91257, Fax: 966 3896 6728, Email: mohamedregal{at}yahoo.com P.O. Box 40233, Al-Khobar, 31952 Saudi Arabia.
Solitary benign fibrous tumors of the pleura are very rare. Seven patients (mean age, 52 years) who presented between 1995 and 2005 were studied retrospectively. They had nonspecific chest symptoms and no history of asbestos exposure or smoking. Chest radiography showed a large opacity occupying most of the affected hemithorax, with clear costophrenic angles. Computed tomography of the chest showed a large well-delineated heterogeneous mass directly related to the lateral chest wall. Needle biopsy suggested the benign nature of the lesion. Surgery was performed through a posterolateral thoracotomy. Five tumors arose from visceral pleura, and 2 from parietal pleura. The mean tumor diameter was 7.5 cm (range, 8–14 cm). Complete surgical excision was carried out in all cases. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the benign nature of the tumors. There was no mortality or major complication. The mean follow-up period was 4 years (range, 1–10 years). All patients remained tumor-free during follow-up. Wide local excision, including pulmonary and pleural resection, is recommended as the best therapeutic option.
Copyright © 2008 by the Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd.
