Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura

Background: This study aims to evaluate the clinical view and surgical approach to solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura. Methods: The records of five patients (3 males, 2 females; mean age 50.2 years; range 24 to 76 years) surgically treated for solitary fibrous tumors between December 2006 and May 2008 were evaluated for demographics, operative procedure, histopathology, morbidity and mortality, postoperative adjuvant theraphy, and long-term follow-up. Results: The main surgical approach was an exploratory thoracotomy in all patients. The visceral pleura was the site of origin in four tumors and the parietal pleura in one. The histopathological examination was reported as being a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura The mean follow-up was 20 months (range 1-67 months), and there was no operative morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are rare and have both benign and malignant types. Complete surgical excision is still the gold standard of treatment as neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy have proven to be effective.