Chondroma of the Sternum Growing in a Pregnant Patient: A Case Report

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017 Oct 20;23(5):262-264. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.17-00009. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Abstract

Purpose: Benign tumors are known to grow or develop sometimes during pregnancy. We present a case report about a young woman with a growing sternal tumor.

Methods: After her second pregnancy, a 32-year-old female presented with a rapid growing sternal tumor. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a tumor measuring 10 × 8 × 7 cm with an intrathoracic bulk, compressing the heart and the upper margin of the liver.

Results: Resection of the tumor was performed uneventfully. Histologic examination of the resected mass revealed a chondroma.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a huge sternal chondroma growing in a pregnant patient. There is not often a need to treat these patients before delivery, however, thereafter surgical treatment of growing tumors is recommended.

Keywords: benign; chondroma; sternum; thorax; tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bone Neoplasms / surgery
  • Chondroma / diagnostic imaging
  • Chondroma / pathology*
  • Chondroma / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / surgery
  • Sternum / diagnostic imaging
  • Sternum / pathology*
  • Sternum / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Burden