Rare Intra-Thoracic Tumors with Aggressive Potential: Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Intrathoracic tumors of aggressive potential are rare, especially when talking about extra axial intrathoracic chordomas and lipomas. Usually, chordomas more commonly present as axial skeleton tumors and lipomas more commonly involve the extremities and trunk. Due to their low incidence, only a few cases of intrathoracic tumors are reported to be either chordomas or lipomas.Cases Presentation: In this case series, 2 cases were reported as rare mediastinal tumors. The first case, we report a 78-year-old female patient presenting with a large right superior mediastinal mass resulting in dyspnea and cough, found to be a chordoma on histopathology after surgical excision. The second case, a 76-year-old male patient presenting with dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain, found to have a large left pleural-based fat-containing tumor on imaging resulting in contralateral mediastinal deviation to the right with left pulmonary parenchymal volume loss, which turned out to be a myxolipoma on histopathology following complete surgical resection. Finally, a literature review is performed to showcase the prevalence of these tumors, epidemiology, radiological and histopathological findings as well as the appropriate management.Conclusions: Intrathoracic tumors with aggressive potential are rare, especially chordomas and lipomas. Total excision is the treatment of choice, aiding in both diagnosis and symptom relief.