[Reconstruction of the thoracic wall using a Marlex sandwich. Presentation of a clinical case]

The case of a 78-year-old male with a large, firm, not tender mass of the left anterolateral region of the chest is reported. Previously he had been treated with cyproterone acetate for a year, being affected by a locally unresectable prostate carcinoma. At CT-scan of the chest mass appeared solid, extending to the pleural cavity with compression of the lung and erosion of third to fifth rib. Operation consisted in complete removal of the mass with "en bloc" resection of involved ribs. Chest wall was reconstructed by means of a Marlex mesh sandwich. Histology revealed a carcinoma, probably originating from the breast. The role of antiandrogenic chemotherapy in the development of the tumor and the use of plastic mesh for chest wall defects are discussed.