Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Sarcomas of the Chest Wall

What Are Chest Wall Tumors (Sarcoma Tumors)?

Chest wall tumors are uncommon. They can be either benign or malignant. Chest wall tumors form in the walls of the chest cavity, which protect the lungs and heart. Chest wall tumors are either primary or secondary (metastasized). Secondary chest wall tumors are usually malignant.

The most common primary malignant chest wall tumors are called sarcoma tumors—chondrosarcomas specifically. Chest wall sarcomas form in the bones, soft tissues, and cartilage of the chest cavity. Metastatic lesions (particularly from breast cancer) can also occur.

Types of chest wall sarcomas include:

  • Chondrosarcoma

  • Osteosarcoma

  • Ewing’s sarcoma

  • Plasmacytoma

  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma

  • Rhabdomyosarcoma

INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

Clinics for Sarcomas of the Chest Wall