Chest Wall Tumors, Benign Soft Tissue

• • Lipomas

  • -Most common benign tumors

    -Small potential for malignancy

    -Dumbbell-shaped

  • Neurogenic tumors

  • -Arise from intercostal nerves

    -Solitary neurofibromas most common

  • Cavernous hemangiomas

  • -Usually painful

    -Occur in children

    -If involves lung, consider Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome

  • Lymphangiomas

  • -Rare lesion seen in kids

    -Poorly defined borders

Symptoms and Signs

• • Mostly asymptomatic

  • Cavernous hemangiomas can be painful

Imaging Findings

• • US and CT may be helpful

Rule Out

• • Neoplasm

• • Physical exam

  • If tumor not solely subcutaneous, CT scan

  • Excisional biopsy for small, amenable lesions, otherwise incisional biopsy

Surgery

Indications

• • Growing tumors should be excised

  • If large (> 5 cm), consider incisional biopsy to rule out malignancy

References