[The analysis on the misdiagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura].

OBJECTIVE

To report the characteristics of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP), and to analyze the factors associated with the misdiagnosis of this disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the clinical records of 21 cases of SFTP in our hospital from June 2000 to September 2008 was conducted. The follow-up data were also reviewed.

RESULTS

The preoperative diagnosis was pleural mesothelioma in 7 cases, neurogenic tumor in 6, lung cancer in 4, SFTP in 2, hilar lymph node tuberculosis in 1 and inflammatory granuloma in 1 case. All the cases underwent radical resection, and postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical study were performed, and the diagnosis of benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura was confirmed. Follow-up periods ranged from 3 months to 8 years (median, 43 months). Two cases were lost, and the remaining 19 cases reported no recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The recognition of the clinical characteristics of pleural solitary fibrous tumor is essential for improving the diagnosis of this uncommon disease.