SPECIALISTS FROM TWO BRANCHES OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH RADIOLOGICAL CENTRE REMOVED A GIANT CHEST TUMOR

Sixty-two‑year‑old Vera Kirillovna noticed troubling changes: a large mass in her right subcostal area caused discomfort and limited the movement of her arm. During local evaluation, a large chest wall neoplasm was detected and she was referred to the NMRRC of the Ministry of Health of the Russian.

“Based on the examinations performed at our Center, a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma of the tenth rib was established. The tumor, measuring more than 20 centimeters, had invaded the diaphragm, intercostal muscles and the abdominal wall”, – says Grigory Afonin, PhD, Head of the Thoracic Oncology Department at the A. Tsyb MRRC. “Surgery was the primary treatment option in this case. We needed to perform an extensive resection removing the tumor together with portions of the chest wall, diaphragm and abdominal wall, while preserving the function of adjacent organs”.

To carry out such a large‑scale procedure, a combined surgical team was formed from two branches of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, led by Andrey Ryabov, Deputy General Director for Surgery at the NMRRC. The operation involved specialists from the A. Tsyb MRRC and the P. Hertsen MORI, who pooled their experience in thoracic and reconstructive‑plastic surgery.

After tumor removal, the surgeons faced an equally demanding task — reconstructing the resulting defect in the chest wall and diaphragm.

“In this case the resection volume was so large that it required use of a modern surgical mesh made of biocompatible materials. We were able to restore diaphragm continuity and perform reconstruction of the extensive resection area. Such operations require not only surgical skill but also coordinated work by a large multidisciplinary team”,- said Andrey Borisovich.

By the following day the patient was already mobilized and subsequently recovered in accordance with the planned treatment course.