Huge Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor of Pleura with Cardiopulmonary Distress

Malignant solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare mesenchymal cell tumors in the thoracic cavity. A 59-year-old woman presented with dry cough, exertional dyspnea, and palpitation. Chest CT scan disclosed a huge and heterogeneous tumor mass in the left pleural cavity. She received surgical intervention through a sternotomy combined with a left anterior thoracotomy (modified hemi-clamshell) approach. The pathology revealed malignant solitary fibrous tumor. For malignant SFTP, complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. However, we described another surgical approach for the resection of huge thoracic tumors. In addition, we reviewed the literature with particular attention to the clinical features, histopathological characteristics, and management of these tumors.