Methods: Between January 2000 and January 2011, medical data of 11 patients (6 females, 4 males; mean age 56.78 years; range 44 to 76 years) who were operated for SFTP in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic c haracteristics o f t he p atients, s urgical approach applied, histology, morbidity, complementary treatment, and duration of follow-up were recorded.
Results: Two patients (18%) died during surgery. All patients underwent complete surgical excision. The surgical approach primarily consisted of thoracotomy and excision of the mass. One patient underwent left upper lobectomy, while another one underwent a wedge resection. The mass was removed with median sternotomy in one patient. The tissues of origin of the masses were the visceral pleura in two, mediastinal pleura in one, and parietal pleura in eight patients. The mean follow-up was 40.3 months (range, 30 to 89). One patient was admitted with recurrent endobronchial mass at 32 months postoperatively. The patient was treated with pneumonectomy.
Conclusion: Although SFTP has typically a benign nature, the clinical course of the disease still remains to be entirely elucidated. It should be kept in mind that these tumors have a potential of recurrence, even endobronchially, after complete surgical resection.