Introduction:

Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare neoplasm with particular characteristics. Initially described as a primary tumor of the pleura by Wagner in 1870, it has received various names including the hemangiopericytoma. The purpose of our study was to determine the number of solitary fibrous tumors operated in our institutions in the last 21 years.

Material and methods:

A retrospective cohort study is presented, which includes a review of the files of patients with lung masses diagnosed as solitary fibrous tumors by biopsy or surgical resection between 1996 and 2017.

Results:

Of the 1,192 patients operated on the thorax, 11 (0.92%) were diagnosed with a solitary fibrous tumor. The benign etiology was confirmed in 10 patients and 1 of malignant etiology. All showed a pleural origin, 10 of parietal pleura and 1 of visceral pleura. The average diameter of the masses was 16.8 cm. In 9 patients the resection was complete resulting in complete reexpansion of the lung whereas in two patients the tumor was unresectable. Both patients died during the follow-up.

Conclusion:

We present a series of patients with Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura, mostly symptomatic, as a reflection of the large size and the conditions of practice in a developing country with multiple limitations; but which illustrates the presentation and behavior of these tumors and shows that despite its size, the possibility of a complete resection on a curative basis is possible.