[Successful operation on giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura].

Abstract

A 68-year-old man began complaining of dizziness and dyspnea on exertion 2 months ago. Chest X-ray and CT scan taken on admission revealed a giant tumor occupying almost all of the right thoracic cavity. The mediastinum, especially RA and IVC, was markedly oppressed and shifted by the tumor. MRI showed no invasive lesions of the tumor into adjacent organs. An operation was performed under the tentative diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura by transcutaneous needle biopsy. The tumor was encapsulated and resected from the lower lobe of the right lung using a surgical stapler. Then the tumor was carefully dissected from the chest wall, pericardium and diaphragma, and removed completely. It weighed 3920 g and measured 22 x 20 x 20 cm. Various immunohistochemical properties of the specimen were morphologically compatible with SFT. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is now free of complaints. Because malignant cases of SFT have been reported a careful follow-up will be performed.