Background: A retrospective study of primary and metastatic chest wall tumors was conducted to review their clinical, radiological and pathological features, and early results of surgical management.

Methods: From 1994 through 2003, 19 patients (6F, 13M, mean age 26 years) with primary and metastatic chest wall tumors were treated at our clinic.

Results: Seven patients had a benign chest wall tumors: osteokondral hamartoma 2 patients, aneurysmatic bone cyst 1 patient, elastofibroma 1 patient, neurofibroma 1 patient, tuberculosis 1 patient, hydatic cyst one patient. Twelve patients had a malign chest wall tumors: plazmocytoma 1 patient, vertebral chondrosarcoma 1 patient, fibrosarcoma 3 patients, malignant fibrous histiocytoma 1 patient, Ewing sarcoma 1 patient, neurosarkoma 1 patient, metastazis 2 patients. Distinction between benign and malignant chest wall tumors was not possible using radiographic criteria alone, and diagnosis was always confirmed histologically. Surgical treatment consisted of excisional surgery, with the use of synthetic greft in three cases. There was no perioperative mortality.

Conclusions: We belive that all chest wall tumors should be considered malignant until proven otherwise. Resection with tumor-free margins is required in order to provide for cure in both benign and malignant lesions.

Keywords : Chest wall tumors, thoracalsurgery, metastatic