Fibromyxoma of Pleura: Report of Case

This paper is based on the report of a case of giant localized, connective-tissue tumor of the pleura in which the patient was a girl, aged 2 years. As far as we have been able to determine, this is the second report of a case in which this type of tumor has occurred in a child. It is evident that more cases of this tumor have been reported in the past two decades than had been reported previously. If these tumors are not excised, they will continue to grow and will impede the function of vital organs within the thorax. The possible presence of large tumors of the pleura must be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases of the thorax which simulate massive pleural effusion. The site of origin of these growths appears to be subserous areolar tissue of either the parietal or visceral pleura. Although clinically they are benign, these neoplasms are usually histologically malignant. This case re-emphasizes the need for frequent periodic physical and roentgenographic examinations to detect the presence of unusual but fatal lesions during their early asymptomatic phase.