Results in surgery for primary and metastatic chest wall tumors

Resection of chest wall tumors is often indicated for palliation from pain or chronic ulceration. However, under various conditions, it may lead to lasting tumor control and substantial freedom of disease might be achieved. Therefore, the long-term survival after chest wall resection for primary and metastatic tumors and its relation to the underlying histology was analyzed.

The medical files of 82 consecutive patients with tumors of the chest wall operated between 1 January 1989 and 31 October 1998 were reviewed. Follow-up data were collected from the outpatient's clinic and house physicians, respectively. Complete excision was accomplished in 71 patients. In 19 patients, partial or complete resection of the sternum was performed. Twenty-eight patients underwent chest wall resection extending to intrathoracic structures (lung, diaphragm, pericardium). The following subgroups were defined according to the histology: (A), sarcoma (n=32); (B), breast cancer (n=22); (C), renal cell cancer (n=9); (D), other metastases (n=7); (E), miscellaneous (n=12). The survival probability was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method (SAS software system).

One of 41 female patients died from postoperative complications on day 30 after resection of ulcerating breast cancer recurrence (hospital mortality, 1.2%). The median survival times in groups A-E were 27, 32, 19, 16 and 22 months, respectively.

Chest wall resection offers immediate relief in the case of severe pain and unpleasant sequelae of ulceration. Moreover, it contributes to substantial long-term survival. This, in particular, applies to local recurrence after breast cancer.