[Surgical therapy of chest wall tumors]

Tumors of the chest wall may occur as both primary and secondary tumors. Diagnosis is established by clinical examination, conventional and/or computed tomography. In most cases of chest wall tumors resection is the treatment of choice. It should be performed with a safe distance to the tumor, if necessary with bloc resection of another intrathoracic part or adjacent tissues. For skeletal reconstruction non-absorbable and absorbable mesh is available; even complete replacement of the sternum is possible. Large full thickness defects can be covered with sliding flaps or myocutaneous flaps from adjacent locations.