Chest Wall Tumors: Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment

What are chest wall tumors?

Chest wall tumors are abnormal growths that may appear in the bones, muscles, or soft tissues that make up the rib cage.
They may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and may originate from the chest wall itself or extend from adjacent organs inside or outside the chest.

Types of Chest Wall Tumors

Chest wall tumors are classified into two main categories:

Benign Tumors

These are non-cancerous and usually slow-growing. Common types include:

Lipoma
Osteochondroma
Fibrous tumors

Malignant Tumors

These are cancerous and may grow aggressively. Examples include:

Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Soft tissue sarcomas
Metastatic tumors (spread from lung, breast, or other cancers)

Symptoms of Chest Wall Tumors

Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor and may include:

A visible or palpable mass in the chest wall
Chest pain (persistent or increasing)
Swelling or deformity of the chest
Shortness of breath (in advanced cases)

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is essential to determine the type and extent of the tumor.

Investigations may include:

CT scan of the chest
MRI (for soft tissue evaluation)
Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis
Additional tests to assess spread (if malignancy is suspected)

Treatment of Chest Wall Tumors

Treatment depends on:

Whether the tumor is benign or malignant
Tumor size and location
Involvement of surrounding structures

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is the main treatment for most chest wall tumors.

The goal is to:

Completely remove the tumor
Achieve clear surgical margins
Preserve chest wall function and stability

Types of surgery include:

Local tumor excision (for small benign tumors)
Wide resection (for malignant tumors)
Chest wall reconstruction using:
- Mesh
- Metal plates
- Muscle flaps

Chest Wall Reconstruction

After removal of large tumors, reconstruction may be required to:

Maintain chest stability
Protect internal organs
Restore normal breathing mechanics
Achieve good cosmetic results

Minimally Invasive Techniques

In selected cases, thoracoscopic (VATS) techniques may be used for diagnosis or treatment, depending on tumor location and size.

Dr. Mohammad Al-Tarshihi’s Experience

Dr. Mohammad Al-Tarshihi, consultant thoracic surgeon in Jordan, has extensive experience in the management of chest wall tumors, including complex tumor resections and chest wall reconstruction.

His approach focuses on: