Management of tumors involving the chest wall including pancoast tumors and tumors invading the spine

Abstract

Bronchogenic carcinomas involving the chest wall include tumors invading the ribs and spine, as well as Pancoast tumors. In the past, such neoplasms were considered to be incurable, but with new multimodality regimens, including induction chemoradiation followed by surgery, they can now be completely resected and patients can benefit from prolonged survival. The most important prognostic factors are the completeness of resection and the pathologic nodal status.

Keywords: Chest wall invasion; En-bloc resection; Lung cancer; Pancoast tumor.