What are chest wall tumors?
The chest cavity is an enclosed space that houses several important organs, such as the heart, lungs and esophagus. The chest wall is formed by the rib cage and diaphragm, whose structures are flexible enough to move inward and outward to allow breathing, while being strong enough to protect the internal organs.
As in any part of the body, the chest wall can develop tumors, i.e., abnormal growths of cells. Tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are relatively common and may not need treatment unless they are causing pain or difficulty breathing. There are three main varieties:
- Chondroma
- Osteochondroma
- Fibrous dysplasia
Cancerous tumors of the chest wall are quite rare. They are usually sarcomas formed from the bony cartilage or soft tissue of the chest wall.
Prognosis of chest wall tumors
Although benign chest wall tumors are rarely serious, the small percentage of malignant tumors can be fatal if left untreated. Although the vast majority are benign and painless, a physician should be consulted immediately if you experience any symptoms of chest wall tumors.
Benign chest wall tumors are rarely serious.
Symptoms of chest wall tumors
Chest wall tumors may cause the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Swelling
- Lump in the chest
- Impaired movement
Physical signs such as lumps may be discovered by chance while you are in the shower, for example.
Medical tests to diagnose chest wall tumors
Several diagnostic tests can be used to locate and evaluate chest wall tumors in order to plan treatment:
- X-ray: this general scan may show abnormalities, but not necessarily whether the tumor is malignant or benign.
- CT scan: may show a closer and more detailed examination of the tumor, giving more information about the type and size.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): like CT, MRI gives more information than x-rays.
- Positron emission tomography scans can reveal whether tumors are cancerous or not.
- Pulmonary function tests assess the patient’s lung reserve to see if he or she can tolerate an operation to remove the tumor from the chest wall.
- Biopsy: the tissue sample of the tumor is usually taken through a needle, but if this is not possible, an open biopsy can be performed.
What are the causes of chest wall tumors?
The precise causes of chest wall tumors are not completely understood. However, genetics is thought to play a role, as it appears to be hereditary, while diet and lifestyle are also considered relevant factors.
Treatments for chest wall tumors
Chest wall tumors may not need treatment, although it is sometimes impossible to know whether they are benign or malignant without removing them. Sometimes benign tumors must be removed because they interfere with organ function (such as breathing), causing muscle atrophy or making movement difficult.
Cancerous tumors of the chest wall can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of all three. Often, a section of the rib cage must be removed, and surgery must be performed, using soft tissue replacement and/or prostheses to restore the patient’s chest to a normal appearance.
What type of specialist treats chest wall tumors?
Cardiothoracic surgeons are responsible for any type of chest surgery, while oncologists specialize in the treatment of cancer. Both types of specialist can work together in cases of malignant chest wall tumors.