Classification of Chest Wall Tumours
- Exostoses (benign bone growths)
- Osteochondromas (benign bone and cartilage growths)
- Chondromas (benign cartilage growths)
- Enchondromas (benign cartilage growths within bone)
- Fibromas (benign fibrous growths)
- Lipomas (benign fatty growths)
- Neurofibromas (benign nerve growths)
- Gliomas (benign glial cell growths)
- Haemangiomas (benign blood vessel growths)
- Lymphangiomas (benign lymph vessel growths)
- Neuroepitheliomas (benign nerve tissue growths)
- Osteosarcomas (malignant bone growths)
- Chondrosarcomas (malignant cartilage growths)
- Ewing's sarcoma (malignant bone growth)
- Soft tissue sarcomas (malignant growths in soft tissues)
Clinical Features
- Asymptomatic or with pain and swelling
- Mass or swelling
- Skin changes or discoloration
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Coughing or difficulty breathing
- Chest wall deformity
Indications for Surgical Management
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Suspected malignancy
- Size greater than 5 cm
- Local recurrence or metastasis
- Resection for cosmetic or functional reasons
Blood Supply
- Thoracoacromial artery
- Lateral thoracic artery
- Subscapular artery
- Intercostal arteries
- Internal mammary artery
Nerve Supply
- Intercostal nerves
- Long thoracic nerve
- Thoracodorsal nerve
- Intercostobrachial nerve
- Pectoral nerves
Clinical Anatomy
- Chest wall bones: sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae
- Chest wall soft tissues: muscles, skin, and blood vessels
- Intercostal spaces
- Costal cartilages
- Sternum and xiphoid process
Investigations
- Imaging: X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET-CT
- Biopsy: histopathological examination
- Laboratory tests: complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and tumor markers
Complications
- Recurrence
- Metastasis
- Infection
- Haemorrhage
- Nerve damage
- Respiratory compromise
Management
- Surgical resection
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Monitoring for recurrence
Treatment
- Surgical resection with negative margins
- Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
- Monitoring for recurrence and metastasis
Homoeopathic Therapeutic Medicines
- Arnica montana: pain, swelling, and bruising
- Rhus toxicodendron: skin lesions and joint pain
- Silica: bone growths and deformity
- Calcarea carbonica: bone growths and malformation
- Lachesis: skin lesions and tissue irritation
- Arsenicum album: pain, swelling, and inflammation
- Phytolacca: pain, swelling, and tissue irritation