Fibrous tumors of the pleura

Fibrous tumor of the pleura is a rare tumor arising from mesenchymal cells underlying the visceral or parietal pleura. The tumor may have benign or malignant histological features, but these do not always predict the clinical behavior of the tumor. In most cases, the tumor appears pedunculated, and simple resection of the tumor is curative even if significant cellular atypia is present. In contrast, some tumors with a broad base of attachment may recur and occasionally become malignant. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of therapy for both benign and malignant fibrous tumors of the pleura. When resection is incomplete or impossible, external radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy is recommended.