Histopathology of tumorous ribs: a review of 130 cases

There were studied histopathologically 130 tumorous ribs out of 167 tumoral processes of the thoracal wall (77 per cent) and representing about 2 per cent of all the neoplasms studied between 1949 and 1984. There were distinguished 50 malignant primary tumors (Ewing's sarcomas, Parker-Jackson's reticulosarcomas, endotheliosarcomas, low differentiated myelosarcomas and myelomas, osteogenic sarcomas, chondro- and osteochondrosarcomas, and fibrosarcomas), 45 secondary (metastatic) malignant tumors of ribs out of which 32 (75 per cent) originated from lung cancers, and 35 benign lesions (osteoclastomas, chondromas and osteochondromas, fibromas and osteofibromas, eosinocytic histiocytomas, and various osteodystrophies). Morphological differentiating criteria were discussed for each group. There were analysed, when possible, the ways of rib involvement by neighbouring processes, especially the periosteum relationships with the soft tissues of the thoracal wall and with vessels and pleura. Some histogenetic problems were also emphasized.