Benign Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTPs) are rare and typically benign neoplasms with limited reported cases. Despite their initial characterization as a pleura-based lesion, these neoplasms can occur in various anatomical locations. These tumors can present with paraneoplastic syndromes and have potential malignant transformations. Herein, we report a case of a 47-year-old female presenting with chest pain, cough, and weakness who was subsequently diagnosed with a benign SFTP. The patient required surgical intervention and underwent a wedge resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The patient's recovery was uneventful, demonstrating effective management.

Surgery for Solitary Fibrous Tumors of the Pleura: A Review of the Available Evidence

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (pSFT) are a relatively rare neoplasms that can arise from either visceral or parietal pleura and may have different aggressive biological behaviors. Surgery is well known to be the cornerstone of the treatment for pSFT. We reviewed the existing literature, focusing on the role of surgery in the management and treatment of pSFT. All English-written literature has been reviewed, focusing on those reporting on the perioperative management and postoperative outcomes. Surgery for pSFT is feasible and safe in all experiences reported in the literature, but surgical approaches and techniques may vary according to the tumor dimensions, localization, and surgeons' skills. Long-term outcomes are good, with a 10-year overall survival rate of more than 70% in most of the reported experiences; on the other hand, recurrence may happen in up to 17% of cases, which occurs mainly in the first two years after surgery, but case reports suggest the need for a longer follow-up to assess the risk of late recurrence. Malignant histology and dimensions are the most recognized risk factors for recurrence. Recurrence might be operated on in select patients. Surgery is the treatment of choice in pSFT, but a radical resection and a careful postoperative follow-up should be carried out.

A Large Pleural Solitary Fibrous Tumor Successfully Resected Using Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare neoplasms arising from submesothelial connective tissue. Typically affecting elderly individuals, SFTs can exhibit malignant characteristics despite most cases being benign. Diagnosis often occurs incidentally on routine chest radiographs, and patients are usually asymptomatic unless the tumor causes compression of adjacent structures. While imaging studies aid in identification, confirmation of the diagnosis requires bronchoscopy with tissue sampling and immunohistochemistry. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment for SFTs, with complete resection being associated with a better prognosis. Our case highlights the successful management of a massive SFT using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Regular chest computed tomography (CT) follow-up is important for monitoring SFTs and ensuring timely intervention when necessary. We present the case of a 54-year-old female with a massive SFT presenting as a pleural tumor in the right lower lobe. The patient was initially asymptomatic, and the diagnosis was made incidentally during routine chest CT follow-up. Uniportal VATS was successfully performed for the excision of the tumor measuring 10x9x6 cm. Our case highlights the successful application of uniportal VATS for the thoracoscopic removal of a huge pleural solitary fibrous tumor.

Mesenchymal/non-epithelial mimickers of neuroendocrine neoplasms with a focus on fusion gene-associated and SWI/SNF-deficient tumors

Mimickers of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) include a number of important pitfall tumors. Here, we describe our experience with mesenchymal mimics of NENs to illustrate their spectrum and draw the attention particularly to a group of mesenchymal/non-epithelial neoplasms (MN) that combine epithelioid histology with neuroendocrine (NE-) features and peculiar genetic abnormalities. In a consultation series of 4498 cases collected between 2009 and 2021, 2099 neoplasms expressing synaptophysin and/or chromograninA were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 364 (18%) were diagnosed as non-NENs, while the remaining tumors were NEN. The group of mesenchymal/non-epithelial neoplasms with NE-features (MN-NE) included 31/364 (8%) cases. These mostly malignant neoplasms showed an epithelioid morphology. While all but one tumor expressed synaptophysin, mostly patchy, only 10/29 (34%) co-expressed chromograninA. A total of 13/31 (42%) of the MN-NE showed EWSR1-related gene fusions (6 Ewing sarcomas, 5 clear cell sarcomas, and 1 desmoplastic small round cell tumor, 1 neoplasm with FUS-CREM gene fusion) and 7 (23%) were SWI/SNF (SMARCB1 or SMARCA4)-deficient neoplasms. The remaining MN-NE included synovial sarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid mesenchymal neoplasm, melanoma, alveolar soft part sarcoma, solitary fibrous tumor, and chordoma. A total of 27/31 MN-NE were from the last 8 years, and 6 of them were located in the pancreas. Eleven MN-NE were initially diagnosed as neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). MN-NE with epithelioid features play an increasing role as mimickers of NECs. They mostly belong to tumors with gene fusions involving the EWSR1 gene, or with SWI/SNF complex deficiency. Synaptophysin expression is mostly patchy and chromograninA expression is infrequent in MN-NE of this series and data extracted from literature.

Recurrence rates of surgically resected solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Recurrence rates of solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP) after surgical resection vary widely in the published literature. Our objective was to systematically review the existing literature to determine an accurate estimate of SFTP recurrence rates after surgical resection and to determine risk factors associated with recurrence.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials and observational studies (prospective or retrospective) through 20 June 2020 that reported the recurrence rates after surgical resection. The outcome of interest was recurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 23 included studies comparing 1262 patients, the overall recurrence of SFTP in patients who underwent surgical resection was 9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7-12%; I2 = 52%]. In addition, pooled benign and malignant recurrence rates were 3% (95% CI 2-5%; I2 = 8%) and 22% (95% CI 15-32%; I2 = 52%), respectively. A benign SFTP was associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate than a malignant SFTP [odds ratio (OR) 0.11; 95% CI 0.06-0.20; I2 = 0%]. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates between lesions originating from parietal versus visceral pleura (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.28-6.02; I2 = 59%). Female sex was associated with increased recurrence (OR 5.29; 95% CI 1.66-16.92; I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, this systematic review demonstrated a 9% SFTP post-resection recurrence rate. Furthermore, the recurrence rates for benign and malignant SFTP were 3% and 22%, respectively. Histological malignancy and female sex were associated with higher risk.