Primary tumours of the ribs

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Orthopedic Oncology

Background:

• Primary rib tumors are rare, encompassing a spectrum of benign and malignant neoplasms.
• Accurate differentiation between benign and malignant rib lesions is crucial for appropriate management and prognosis.
• Surgical intervention remains a primary treatment modality for resectable rib tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up of patients with primary rib tumors.
• To compare the clinical and pathological features of benign versus malignant rib neoplasms.
• To assess the recurrence rates and survival associated with different types of rib tumors post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 34 patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary rib tumors between 1966 and 1985.
• Data collection included patient demographics, tumor characteristics (benign vs. malignant), surgical procedures, and follow-up information.
• Comparison of mean age and tumor diameter between benign and malignant groups.

Main Results:

• Malignant rib tumors presented with higher mean age and larger tumor diameter compared to benign tumors.
• Benign rib tumors showed no operative mortality or recurrence at a mean follow-up of 12.3 years.
• Two cases initially diagnosed as benign chondroma recurred as chondrosarcoma; four chondrosarcoma patients had no recurrence 6-13 years post-surgery. Other sarcomas and reticuloendothelial system tumors had poor long-term survival.

Conclusions:

• Surgical excision of benign rib tumors offers excellent long-term outcomes with no recurrence.
• Malignant rib tumors, including chondrosarcoma, require careful monitoring due to potential for recurrence and varied prognoses.
• Accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical, as benign-appearing lesions can transform into malignancy, impacting patient survival.