Primary chest wall tumors: factors affecting survival

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Oncology

Background:

• Primary chest wall tumors are rare, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• A painful mass is the most frequent symptom, often requiring surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of chest wall resection for primary tumors.
• To identify prognostic factors influencing survival in patients with chest wall tumors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 90 patients undergoing chest wall resection between 1955 and 1975.
• Tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival data were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Malignant tumors (78.9%) were more common than benign tumors (21.1%).
• Complete excision led to disease-free survival in all benign cases.
• Overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 89%, 57%, and 49%, respectively.
• Recurrence developed in 52% of patients, with a significantly poorer 5-year survival of 17% post-recurrence.
• Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma were the most frequent malignant neoplasms.

Conclusions:

• Early surgical resection is the preferred treatment for primary malignant chest wall tumors.
• Tumor type and invasion extent are critical prognostic indicators.
• Recurrent disease is associated with a poor prognosis, emphasizing the importance of complete initial tumor removal.