Chest wall tumors

When a tumor grows in your chest wall, you may be bothered by trouble with breathing or pain. You can trust your Aurora chest wall tumor specialist to identify the tumor and provide advanced, compassionate care.

What is the chest wall?

The chest wall includes the tissues that surround and protect the lungs, heart, and other tissues within the chest. In addition to the ribs and breastbone (sternum), all these types of tissues make up parts of the chest wall:

Unless you have symptoms or have undergone testing for some other reason, you may never notice that you have a benign (noncancerous) chest wall tumor. They’re common and it’s believed that they’re related to diet, lifestyle, or heredity.

Chest wall tumor symptoms

Chest wall tumors may cause symptoms if they grow too large or if they press into your lungs, heart, or other tissues within the chest. Possible chest wall tumor symptoms include:

• Breathing trouble
• Limitations on movement
• Pain
• Swelling

Common chest wall tumor types

Most chest wall masses are benign and may be left in place if they’re not causing symptoms. Common types of benign chest wall tumors are:

• Chondroma
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Osteochondroma

Some chest wall tumors are cancerous. Cancerous chest wall tumors usually grow in bone, cartilage, or soft tissue, and the most common types are:

• Chondrosarcomas
• Ewing sarcoma
• Soft tissue sarcomas

Learn more about the types of bone and soft tissue cancers we treat.

Primary & secondary cancerous chest wall tumors

All types of cancerous tumors are categorized as either primary or secondary. A primary tumor is one that started to grow in the place where it’s found – in this case, the chest wall.

A secondary tumor is one that has grown so large in a nearby site that it has intruded into a second area. Tumors that spread (metastasize) from their original site and start a new tumor in a second site are also called secondary tumors.

Most malignant (cancerous) secondary chest wall tumors start from either lung cancer or breast cancer.

Testing & diagnosis for chest wall tumors

Some chest wall tumors are discovered when a person has a chest X-ray or other imaging test for an unrelated reason. More testing will be needed because X-ray images don’t reveal whether a tumor is benign or malignant.

An MRI, a CAT scan, or a PET scan will reveal more information about the shape and nature of a chest wall tumor. Your doctor will probably order a needle biopsy or regular biopsy so tissue from the tumor can be evaluated for signs of cancer.

If surgery is being considered, you may also undergo a pulmonary function test to be sure you’re healthy enough for surgery.

Treatment options for chest wall tumors

Surgical treatment options

When surgery for a chest wall tumor is recommended, you’ll probably require reconstruction after the surgery. The chest wall is connected to the spine, and these structures not only protect structures inside the chest – they also support your upper body. If part of the chest wall is removed, it needs to be reconstructed to maintain its form and function.

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

Nonsurgical chest wall tumor treatments

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone or combined with surgery.