Chest wall tumors

Although benign (noncancerous) chest wall tumors are common, you may never know you have one unless you have images taken of your chest for another reason. Chest wall tumors can also be cancerous and may form in many types of tissues.

At Advocate, you’ll receive advanced compassionate care for any type of chest wall tumor from diagnosis through any necessary treatment and recovery.

What is the chest wall?

The chest wall surrounds and protects the lungs, heart, blood vessels, nerves and other important structures in the chest. It includes the ribs and sternum (breastbone) and is separated from the abdomen (belly) by the diaphragm. The chest wall includes all these types of tissues:

Chest wall tumors can grow on any of these tissues. Chest wall tumor causes are currently unknown. Diet, lifestyle and heredity are believed to be involved in forming these tumors.

Chest wall tumor symptoms

You may have no symptoms of a chest wall tumor, particularly if it’s benign. Potential chest wall tumor symptoms include:

• Breathing trouble
• Pain
• Swelling or other change in appearance
• Limitations on movement

Common chest wall tumor types

Benign chest wall tumors may be left alone unless they cause pain, problems with breathing or problems with movement. Some common types of benign chest wall masses are:

• Osteochondroma
• Chondroma
• Fibrous dysplasia

Cancerous tumors in the chest wall usually grow in soft tissue, cartilage or bone. The most common types of malignant chest wall tumors are:

• Soft tissue sarcomas
• Chondrosarcomas
• Ewing sarcoma

Learn more about the types of bone cancers we treat.

Primary & secondary cancerous chest wall tumors

Cancerous tumors are divided into primary and secondary categories. Primary chest wall cancers are tumors that form originally in the chest wall area. Secondary chest wall cancers start in another area – usually as breast cancer or lung cancer. They either spread (metastasize) from the original site or they grow so large at their original site that they intrude into the chest wall.

Testing & diagnosis for chest wall tumors

Chest wall tumors may first be identified because of an X-ray image taken for another reason. However, X-rays don't show the difference between benign tumors and cancerous tumors.

To diagnose your chest wall tumor, your doctor may order an MRI, CAT scan or PET scan. They’ll order a needle biopsy or a surgical biopsy to identify if the tumor is benign or cancerous.

If surgery is recommended for a benign or malignant chest wall tumor, your doctor may first order a pulmonary function test to determine if you can safely have surgery.

Treatment options for chest wall tumors

Surgical treatment options

If surgery is needed, either part of the tumor or the entire tumor may be removed. After any surgery, you’ll often require some kind of reconstruction procedure to provide protection for your heart and lungs and to preserve your appearance. For example, if a rib tumor is removed, the part of the rib that was removed needs to be replaced with strong materials that will support and work with the rest of your ribs and skeleton.

Our thoracic surgery specialists will work with you to decide what’s best for your continued health.

Nonsurgical chest wall tumor treatments

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be recommended for some kinds of malignant tumors either alone or in addition to surgery.