A case of primary chondrosarcoma of costal cartilage difficult to preoperatively diagnose in anterior mediastinal region

Abstract

The patient was a 48-year-old man. In June 202X, he visited his family doctor with left groin pain, was diagnosed with inguinal hernia, and referred to our hospital. CT revealed bilateral inguinal hernias and a 15-cm anterior mediastinal tumor, and he was referred to our respiratory medicine department. CT-guided biopsy revealed a suspected teratoma, and he was referred to us. In August 202X, we performed another CT-guided biopsy, but a definitive diagnosis could not be made. In September 202X, a median sternotomy and left intercostal thoracotomy were performed to remove the tumor. The histopathological diagnosis was chondrosarcoma, with a suspected positive margin. In November 202X, an additional resection was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with no residual tumor. Currently, one year after the initial surgical resection, the patient is alive and well without recurrence.