Sarcomas: rare primary malignant tumors of the thorax

Abstract

In this article, it is aimed to review the radiological signs of unusual primary malignant tumors of the thorax. Radiological studies of 11 patients with histologic diagnosis of thoracic sarcomas were interpreted retrospectively. Tumors originated from the chest wall (n=3), mediastinum (n=4), and pulmonary parenchyma (n=4). Histopathologic diagnoses were fibrosarcoma (n=1), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (n=1), malignant hemangiopericytoma (n=1), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n=2), pulmonary vein leiomyosarcoma (n=1), pulmonary artery sarcoma (n=2), pleuropulmonary blastoma (n=1), and chondrosarcoma (n=2). In order to evaluate thoracic sarcomas, cross-sectional methods such as CT and MRI can be useful in demonstrating the origin of the mass, relationship with and involvement of adjacent structures. They present as masses and, unfortunately, radiological findings are not sufficient for specific diagnosis.