Multiple bilateral fibromas of the pleura | Spontaneous Remission Database

Abstract

Scattini, C. M. and Orsi, A. (1973).Thorax, 28, 782-787. Multiple bilateral fibromas of the pleura. A patient with multiple bilateral fibromas of the pleura which evolved over 25 years is presented. Tumours were resected in four successive surgical interventions during this period. At the second operation `spontaneous regression' of several small pleural fibromas noted at the first operation four years previously was observed. The differentiation between pleural fibroma and pleural localized mesothelioma is discussed.

Case Details

Disease Location

Right upper lung

Personal Characteristics

35-year-old female

Clinical Characteristics

Admitted with weakness & slight fever (jan 1948) 6 months prior had noticed pain in posterior aspect of right chest wall--> controlled with analgesics chest radiograph revealed upper right paramediastinal mass lab investigations normal induction of right pneumothorax, tumor descended with lung postoperative course normal, but follow-up radiographs showed gradual growth of main tumor

Remission Characteristics

15 years post 2nd operation, chest radiograph displayed absence of posterior end of 4th & part of 5th right ribs from prior operations marked elevation of left hemidiaphragm observed & several new shadows radiographic shadows interpreted as metastatic after left thoracotomy, lung free of adhesions

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

It is impossible to determine the cause of this tumour regression

Clinical Treatment

Treated with rest, calcium, vitamins after 2 mths, chest pain & fever eased right thoracotomy performed--> many white hard nodules found over visceral & parietal pleura (april 1948) second thoracotomy performed--> main paramediastinal tumor resected reoperation performed after growth noted after 15 years with 3 tumors resected left thoracotomy performed july 1972