Giant benign intrathoracic schwannoma: a decade-long progression towards fatality

Intrathoracic neurogenic tumors arise from sympathetic nerve trunks and intercostal nerves; more than 90% are benign. Schwannomas are the most common histological variety, but fatalities due to giant schwannomas are rare.

We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with chest pain and cough. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large left chest wall mass of 130-mm in size, and the patient was referred to our department. Tumor biopsy was performed under local anesthesia, and a diagnosis of schwannoma was made. Ten years previously, a 30-mm tumor had been noted in the left third intercostal space by a previous doctor, but follow-up had been interrupted owing to depressive disorder. Although we planned to perform intercostal artery embolization followed by chest wall tumor resection, the patient did not consent to surgery due to uncontrolled depression. After four months, she developed respiratory failure caused by compression due to an enlarged tumor and died. Autopsy also revealed a benign schwannoma with no malignant findings.

Although schwannomas are benign tumors, there are some very rare cases in which they can become huge and life-threatening. Therefore, a benign tumor should not be neglected, and if surgery is not possible at the time of diagnosis, a regular follow up is necessary, in order not to miss the right timing for surgery.