Benign Fibroma of the Pleura

Report of Case

¹ The Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

1) Primary neoplasms of the pleura may be divided into two main groups: one of diffuse lesions involving the entire pleura; and one of solitary, localized growths originating in the subendothelial connective tissues on the parietal or visceral side. The latter tumors are as varied as the tissues from which they originate.

2) Large benign fibromas of the pleura are rare; only 44 had been recorded up to 1945.

3) A case of benign fibroma of the pleura is reported. This tumor was resected, and the patient made an uneventful recovery. The mass weighed 1500 grams.

4) The symptoms and signs of these tumors are those of a spacetaking lesion in the thorax. Mechanical interference with respiration and circulation occur.

5) Some have called these tumors giant sarcomas, but they usually behave as benign lesions. They appear to grow slowly to great size, do not invade adjacent tissues, and do not metastasize.

6) Roentgenography of the chest is most important in the diagnosis of these lesions. Bronchoscopy is also of value. The importance of artificial pneumothorax or pneumoperitoneum and subsequent roentgenography in ruling out intra-abdominal pathology is discussed.

7) Good results are obtained with complete removal of the fibroma. Recurrence has been reported after partial excision.