Abstract
Condromixoid sarcoma is a rare tumor (about 2,3% of soft tissue sarcomas in one of the series published) occurring mainly in muscular part of extremities. The reconstruction after block resection of tumor lesions of dorsal column invading the thorax almost always represents a great challenge to the surgical team. The case presented reports an infrequent location of this rare tumor what highlights it in an oncologic point of view. From the surgical point of view the surgical steps of wide tumor resection are described and of the reconstruction of the dorsal column and the involved thoracicregion (adjacent to vital structures) what resulted in an asymptomatic correction.
The authors present a case of a 47 years old patient operated to a volumous dorsal condromixoid sarcoma, practically asymptomatic, with invasion and compression of the neurological space and thoracic cavity. After biopsy, a wide resection of the tumor was made, using a double surgical approach (anterior and posterior), with resection of posterior part of vertebras D6–D9 and part of the 7th, 8th and 9th costal arches. The reconstruction consisted in correction of thoracic wall with prosthesis and stabilization of column with pedicular instrumentation from D5 to D11. The post-operatory recover had no complications and in clinically the patient is asymptomatic.
Only the elevated level of suspicion conducted the realization of biopsy in an apparent innocent lesion. The Condromixoid sarcoma occurs rarely in the nervous axis, what created some difficulties in the histological diagnosis. The dimensions of the tumor mass and its localization were object of great discussion and of detailed surgical planning. After a massive surgical resection, the clinical result after 2 years of follow-up is excellent (patient asymptomatic). The almost inevitable oncological decision of surgery in a malignant tumor with medullar cord compression was the only effective way of treatment.
Correspondence should be addressed to Professor Stefan Bielack, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Bismarkstrasse 8, D-70176 Stuttgart, Germany. Email: s.bielack@klinikum_stuttgart.de