Ordinary symptom for a serious pathology - giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura

• Published in: Romanian journal of morphology and embryology Vol. 55; no. 3 Suppl; pp. 1185 - 1189
• Main Authors: Bădilă, Elisabeta, Grigore, Cristina, Daraban, Ana Maria, Ţintea, Emma, Horvat, Teodor, Davidescu, Mihnea, Enache, Valentin, Condrea, Ileana, Bartoş, Daniela, Popa, Bogdan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romania 2014
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens, CD34 - metabolism; Cell Proliferation; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ki-67 Antigen - metabolism; Radiography, Thoracic; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural - diagnostic imaging; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural - pathology; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 1220-0522

The solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare primary tumor arising from mesenchymal cells in the areolar tissue subjacent to the mesothelial-lined pleura. From an epidemiological standpoint, solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura account for less than 5% of primary pleural tumors, and commonly affect patients in the sixth and seventh decades. We presented the case of a 38-year-old woman, without any significant pathological history, who presented at the emergency room for unspecific respiratory symptoms. Imagistic investigations showed a giant opacity in the upper half part of the left hemithorax. The patient underwent surgery and en bloc resection of the tumor (30/25 cm) in oncological limits was performed. Definite diagnosis - solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura - was obtained through histological examination and immunohistochemistry. Even if SFTP are benign tumors, a long follow-up period is mandatory as even patients with complete resection are at risk of recurrence several years after surgery.