Rapidly growing giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: a case report and review of the literature

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTPs) are rare slowly-growing tumors that originate from mesenchymal cells of the submesothelial tissue of the pleura. A 57-year-old female presented to our institute, and complained of mild chest discomfort for one year. The computed tomography (CT) showed a thoracic mass measuring 3.4x1.5 cm. She refused surgical removal, and turned to the medical treatment with oral herbs with unknown specific ingredients; however, she had persistence of her symptoms and gradually developed general fatigue and severe dyspnea six months before presentation. The CT scan revealed a giant mass measuring 33x20x15 cm in the right hemithorax, leading to total atelectasis of the lung. After preoperative embolization of the tumor-supplying arteries, the tumor was completely removed. The diagnosis of SFTP was confirmed by subsequent histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations. The postoperative course was uneventful with a 15-day length of stay, and the patient was in good health at the 15-month follow-up.