Methods: We reviewed six patients (3 males, 3 females; mean age 59 years; range 43 to 72 years) who underwent surgery for intrathoracic SFT between 2004 and 2008. The patients were evaluated with respect to age, sex, symptoms, diagnostic modalities, surgery, and follow-up data. Radiologic methods included chest radiographs and thoracic computed tomography (CT) in all the patients. For preoperative histopathologic diagnosis, five patients underwent CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy and one patient with a large mass underwent tru-cut biopsy. Surgery included thoracotomy and, following a benign diagnosis of frozen section analysis, total excision of the masses. The mean follow-up period was 33 months (range 22 to 45 months).

Results: On admission, one patient had complaints of cough and dyspnea, and one patient with a history of trauma complained of chest pain and dyspnea. The remaining patients were asymptomatic. Radiologically, all patients had broadbased masses on the pleura, measuring 3 to 23 cm, with regular margins, of homogeneous density, and without calcifications. Three tumors were localized in the right hemithorax, and three were in the left hemithorax. None of the patients had a history of asbestos exposure. Preoperative biopsies yielded the diagnosis of SFT in two cases, one following the tru-cut biopsy. The tumors originated from the visceral pleura in four patients and from the parietal pleura in two patients. Following surgery, no serious complications occurred and no recurrences were encountered during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare neoplasms often originating from the visceral pleura. Patients are usually asymptomatic. The precise diagnosis is often made following total excision of the masses.