A Patient with aThoracic Tumefation

Abstract

Tumors of the chest wall are uncommon lesions that comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. These tumors may arise from osseous structures or soft tissues and may be malignant or benign. We describe the case of a proliferative swelling of uncertain origin that led us to suspect a neuroendocrine origin for the mass we observed and studied. Neuroendocrine tumors arise from neuroendocrine cells, which are peptide- and amine-producing cells dispersed throughout the body. Usually, these tumors occur in various organs as intrathoracic or abdominal masses that become manifest after a variable time, usually after inducing a heterogeneous symptomatology secondary to the secretion of various molecules. The case we describe, on the other hand, develops both exophytically and endophytically, first appearing as an externally developing thoracic mass. Subsequent appropriate investigations revealed bone and muscle involvement in the patient’s thoracic cavity. Therefore, we describe our management of a paucisymptomatic patient who presented with a rapidly developing swelling in the intermammary site that progressed equally rapidly.

Keywords

• Chest wall tumors
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Thoracic mass
• Computed tomography
• Biopsy
• ositron emission tomography