Chest Wall Tumors
Not only does it house your heart, lungs and liver, but it creates a rigid cage that lets your lungs to do their important work. When you take a breath in, the cage expands, your diaphragm flattens, and air is sucked into your lungs. Soft tissues like muscles and nerves, bones and cartilage make up your chest wall. Sometimes, the cells there can grow out of control, forming chest wall tumors. Many are cancerous (malignant), but some are benign (not cancerous). No matter what kind you have, you’ll want the best care.
Cleveland Clinic’s expert thoracic surgeons treat all types of chest wall tumors. Our team focuses on you and your needs every step of the way. And we work with providers from other specialties to offer personalized, compassionate care — from the moment you reach out to us.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Chest Wall Tumors Care?
National recognition:
Cleveland Clinic is nationally ranked for its heart care and recognized as a world leader in cardiovascular care and thoracic oncology care.
Skilled collaborative providers:
When you come to Cleveland Clinic for chest wall tumor treatment, you’ll have a team of providers from different specialties working together to create the best care plan. Depending on your needs, this may include providers from thoracic surgery, oncology, pulmonology and more.
Trusted experts:
People from all 50 states and across the globe travel to Cleveland Clinic for thoracic care so they can get the best possible treatment results. Here, you’ll find one of the largest cardiovascular programs in the U.S. We have the broadest range of diagnostic tools and treatments — and some of the industry’s most skilled healthcare providers.
Caring approach:
Our industry-leading providers have seen and experienced everything that can happen in your chest. They’re prepared for every situation. They know what you’re facing and do what it takes to keep you as informed and comfortable as possible — from treatment through recovery and beyond.
High-volume specialty:
Studies show that you have the best chance for good treatment results when you choose a hospital with the most experience. Cleveland Clinic has treated millions of people for heart, vascular and thoracic conditions. And we have some of the best outcomes in the U.S.
Virtual visits:
Not all appointments need to be in person. Sometimes you may get a second opinion or a follow-up appointment with a virtual visit. These visits let you meet with your providers face-to-face from the comfort of your home. You can connect with them online with a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Types of Chest Wall Tumors
Primary chest wall tumors originate from the parts of your chest wall that include bones, cartilage, connective tissue, blood vessels, muscle and fat. These can be cancerous or benign.
Noncancerous primary chest wall tumors include:
- Cavernous hemangioma.
- Desmoid tumor.
- Eosinophilic granuloma.
- Fibrous dysplasia.
- Lipoma.
- Lymphangioma.
- Osteochondroma.
Cancerous primary chest wall tumors include:
- Chondrosarcoma.
- Osteosarcoma.
- Ewing sarcoma.
- Fibrosarcoma.
- Liposarcoma.
- Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.
- Plasmacytoma.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Angiosarcoma.
Or you may have a cancerous secondary chest wall tumor. These begin somewhere else in your body and spread to your chest wall. You may get one from cancer in your breast, colon, lungs, kidneys or other nearby organs.
Diagnosing Chest Wall Tumors at Cleveland Clinic
When you have a chest wall tumor, you may be able to feel a lump. It could be painful, tender or swollen. You may also feel “under the weather” or lose weight when you’re not trying. All are signs to get things checked out.
What to expect at your first visit
Finding a lump anywhere on your body can be unsettling. Your provider understands this. And they’ll take time to talk with you about what’s going on when you come to your first appointment. They’ll listen to your concerns, ask questions about your symptoms and answer any questions you might have. You’ll also have a physical exam. And your provider will order tests to help them confirm a diagnosis, like:
- Chest X-ray.
- CT scan.
- MRI.
- PET scan.
- Biopsy.
Results from your physical exam and tests will help your team build a treatment plan that focuses on you and your needs.
Second opinions for chest wall tumors
Getting a second opinion from one of our specialists can give you peace of mind about your diagnosis. And help you better understand what to expect from treatment.
Our providers will go over your test result and share how they’d approach your care. Understanding options puts you in control of your health. And can make you feel more confident about moving forward with a personalized care plan.
Meet Our Chest Wall Tumor Team
When you come to Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have a team of providers from different specialties working together to confirm a diagnosis and plan your treatment. Your needs and unique diagnosis determine who’ll be on your care team, like:
Providers Who Treat Chest Wall Tumors
Locations
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.Treating Chest Wall Tumors at Cleveland Clinic
Treatment for chest wall tumors depends on what kind of tumor you have. And if it’s malignant or benign. Your care team will go over the best treatments for your needs.
Most people with chest wall tumors have surgery (resection) to remove the tumor. We’ll talk with you about how much of it we can remove, how large it is and if it’s spread. If the tumor has damaged your chest wall, you may also need reconstructive surgery.
Cancerous chest wall tumors may require radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. We may do this before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. Or you may have these treatments afterward to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Recovering From Chest Wall Tumor Treatment
Once you’ve finished treatment, you’ll have a follow-up plan that includes regular checkups and screening tests. This helps us make sure you’re healing — and that the tumor doesn’t come back (recur). Many of these tumors can recur after successful surgery, so it’s important to keep up with your appointments.
Your care team may also recommend lifestyle changes to help lower the chance of a chest wall tumor coming back. These changes may include avoiding smoking and tobacco products, reducing or eliminating alcohol, exercising regularly and maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you. Your providers may also recommend physical therapy exercises to help you move better and get stronger after surgery.
Taking the Next Step
Finding a chest wall tumor early on improves treatment results. So, when you find a lump or have other symptoms, it’s important to connect with experienced healthcare providers right away. Our team understands that it can be unsettling to find out you have a tumor that requires surgery. But you can rest easier knowing that at Cleveland Clinic, you’ll get expert, compassionate care with the best possible results. We’re here to guide you through every step, from diagnosis to follow-up care and beyond.
Appointments
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s chest wall tumor experts is easy. We’ll help you get the care you need.
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Survivorship
Not every tumor is cancerous, but if you learn you have cancer, it can be stressful and shocking. From the moment you get the news, you’re a survivor. As you face the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and recovery — physical and emotional — we’ll be right there with you. At Cleveland Clinic, survivorship care is one part of your journey. We offer a wide range of services, resources, clinics and support groups to help with any physical, emotional, financial and spiritual needs you might have related to your cancer diagnosis. Lending a helping hand along the way, we want you to not only survive but thrive on this journey and beyond.
