Tumors of the chest wall

Tumors of the chest wall include those that grow on the ribs and sternum. These can be both malignant (cancerous) and benign. However, malignant tumors of the chest wall are rare; about five percent are found to be cancerous.

Risk Factors

There are no clear risk factors for developing tumors of the chest wall.

Symptoms

As the tumor begins to grow, there may be no noticeable symptoms. However, symptoms may include:

• chest pain
• lumps in the chest
• swelling

Diagnosis

When a patient presents with symptoms that suggest tumors of the chest wall, your doctor will use several diagnostic methods to make an accurate diagnosis.

1. Your doctor will ask for a complete medical history and will perform a thorough physical examination. Diagnostic tests may include:
   • Chest X-ray
   • CT scan
   • MRI scan
   • PET/CT
2. Your doctor may want to do further tests. These tests may include:
   • needle biopsy
   • surgical biopsy

A Diagnosis of Chest Wall Tumors

After you have undergone any of these tests, your doctor may inform you that you have a chest wall tumor. As these can be both benign and malignant, treatment will vary.

Treatment

If the tumor is benign you will have surgery to remove the tumor.

If the tumor is malignant, there are three primary types of treatment for cancerous tumors of the chest wall. These treatments include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation

Some of the diagnostic procedures described above are also used as surgical treatments to remove the cancer. Depending on the staging (how far the cancer is spread), and what type of tumor it is, your treatment may consist of surgery alone, chemotherapy and radiation followed by surgery, or chemotherapy and radiation alone. Your thoracic team will create an appropriate treatment regimen personalized for you. This treatment regimen is based on currently available scientific evidence and research designed for optimal results in cancer treatment.