[Askin tumor: two cases]

Askin tumor is uncommon, usually observed in young subjects. We report two cases of Askin tumor observed in patients aged 15 and 27 years who were hospitalized for a painful tumefaction of the chest wall with pleural involvement in one patient. We reviewed progress in patient management which has resulted from better understanding of the natural history of Askin tumor and earlier diagnosis due to advances in imaging and immunohistochemistry techniques as well as cytogenetics. A number of points remain controversial.