Surgical resection of secondary chest wall tumors

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate which factors influence survival following surgical resection of secondary tumors of the chest wall (non-bronchial carcinoma). Methods: Between 1990 and 2001, 69 patients (23 men, 46 women) underwent chest wall resection with curative intent. All of the patients were retrospectively analyzed for sex and age, presenting symptoms, tumor location, disease-free interval, histology, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, surgical techniques and extent of resection, 30-day mortality and long-term survival. Results: The most common tumors were isolated locally recurrent breast cancer (n = 33) and renal cell carcinoma (n = 17). Resection of chest wall tumors in all of the other patients revealed a kaleidoscope of different pathologies (n=19). Overall 5-year survival was 38%. In patients with isolated recurrence of breast cancer and in patients with chest wall metastases of renal cell cancer, the median survival was 40.6 months and 53.7 months, respectively. A disease-free interval of more than 24 months and no systemic chemotherapy after mastectomy were parameters for a favorable prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Conclusions: We conclude that chest wall resection of secondary chest wall tumors is a safe and effective treatment as part of a multidisciplinary approach. The role of surgery will continue to evolve as improvements in systemic treatment occur.