Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of Five Patients

OBJECTIVES: Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are rare mesenchimal neoplasms. They often originate from visceral pleura. They have a good prognosis with curative surgical resection. In this study, our experiences concerning SFT are presented in comparison with the literature.Material and Methods: Five patients who underwent surgical treatment in our clinic with the diagnosis of intrathorasic SFT between 2006 and 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinicopathological characteristics of SFT patients and diagnostic difficulties to be faced were discussed.Results: Four female and 1 male patients were included in the study. The mean age was 48. Masses of three to thirteen cm diameters were observed in computed thorax tomography. In one patient, SFT diagnosis was made with trucut biopsy. All patients underwent posterolateral thoracotomy. Four of them were exploratory thoracotomy. Mass excision was performed in all patients. They have been followed for 26.8 months. Only one patient had a recurrence. Conclusion: Although they are known as benign pleural diseases, SFT can exhibit malignant characteristics and recurrence so they should be followed closely.