Chest Wall Tumor: What It Is, the Types to Know, and How It's Treated

Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 17, 2026

Quick Answer

A chest wall tumor is a growth in the muscles, bones and cartilage that protect the heart, lungs and liver. [1] About 60% are cancerous. [1] They often cause no symptoms at first, but later signs include a lump, pain and swelling. [1] Diagnosis uses imaging and sometimes a biopsy, and treatment is surgery, with radiation or chemotherapy for cancerous tumors. [1]

What the research says

• Surgery can achieve clean margins and good function in patients with chest wall sarcoma. In a UK series of 139 patients, 96% had a complete (R0) resection and 75.1% had no complications within 30 days; median overall survival was 58.8 months, chondrosarcomas did better than non-chondromatous sarcomas, and at long-term follow-up 80% of survivors had a Medical Research Council dyspnea score of 0 (Budacan et al., J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2025) [5].

• Five-year survival after surgery was about 70% in an Australian series. Among 59 patients treated for chest wall sarcoma, overall survival was 92% at 1 year and 70% at 5 years, chondrosarcoma was the most common subtype (50.8%), and the authors concluded outcomes were similar to extremity sarcomas (Thakur et al., ANZ J Surg, 2022) [6].

• In children and young adults, whether the cancer has spread matters most. In 76 patients aged 21 or younger who had chest wall resection, 5-year overall survival was 61%, survival depended primarily on the presence of metastases, and 25% developed scoliosis; younger patients with scoliosis were more likely to need corrective surgery (Saltsman et al., Ann Surg, 2021) [7].

What Is a Chest Wall Tumor?

A chest wall tumor is a growth that develops in the protective structure surrounding your heart, lungs, and liver. [1] [4] Your chest wall is made of three kinds of tissue: soft tissues (muscles, nerves, and fascia), bone, and cartilage. [1] Tumors can form in any of these components, but they are most likely to form in bone, especially the ribs, or in cartilage. [1]

There are two main groups of chest wall tumors, and the distinction matters because it shapes everything about diagnosis and treatment.

About 60% of all chest wall tumors are cancerous. [1] Primary chest wall tumors affect a very small share of people: they make up only about 1% to 2% of all primary tumors, and only about 5% of all tumors found in the chest area are primary chest wall tumors. [1]

A chest wall tumor grows in the muscles, bone, or cartilage of the chest wall, the protective structure around the heart, lungs, and liver. Most tumors form in the ribs or cartilage.

Who Does a Chest Wall Tumor Affect?

Chest wall tumors affect people of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. [1] Some types are more common among children, while other types are more common among adults. [1] Age gives doctors an important clue about what a lump might be:

• When you're younger, you're more likely to have small or noncancerous tumors. [1]

• As you get older, especially above age 40, you're more likely to have large or cancerous tumors. [1]

What Are the Types of Chest Wall Tumors?

Chest wall tumors can be noncancerous or cancerous primary tumors, or secondary tumors that spread to the chest wall from other parts of the body.

Noncancerous (Benign) Types

Nine types of primary noncancerous chest wall tumors appear in the medical literature. [1] The most common benign types are chondroma, fibrous dysplasia, and osteochondroma. [1]

Cancerous (Malignant) Types

Eight types of primary cancerous chest wall tumors are recognized. [1] The most common cancerous type in adults is chondrosarcoma; among children and teens, the most common type is Ewing's sarcoma. [1]

Secondary Chest Wall Tumors

Cancerous tumors can also spread to the chest wall from other parts of the body. [1] These secondary tumors can originate in the breast, colon, kidneys, lungs, prostate, stomach, thyroid, or uterus. [1]

Primary chest wall tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), and secondary tumors can spread to the chest wall from other organs.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Chest Wall Tumor?

Chest wall tumor symptoms vary widely depending on the type of tumor, from a lump or pain to fever and weight loss. In many cases, you may not feel any symptoms until the tumor is at an advanced stage. [1] That is one reason doctors take new chest lumps seriously. If symptoms do appear, they depend on the type of tumor and can include:

• A lump you can feel [1]

• Pain, tenderness, or swelling [1]

• Trouble with movement [1]

• Fever and malaise (feeling "under the weather") [1]

• Muscle atrophy (muscle wasting) [1]

• Unexplained weight loss [1]

What Causes Chest Wall Tumors?

Scientists don't know exactly what causes chest wall tumors. [1] In some cases, genetics seem to play a role. [1] Lifestyle factors may also raise your risk, especially for secondary chest wall tumors. [1] For example, lung cancer can spread to the chest wall, so smoking increases your risk of lung cancer and, in turn, of chest wall tumors. [1]

How Are Chest Wall Tumors Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers use imaging tests and biopsies to diagnose chest wall tumors. [1] Sometimes a chest wall tumor is found by accident, through imaging done for other reasons. These are called incidental diagnoses, meaning the provider was looking for something else and found a tumor in the process. [1]

Sometimes imaging tests confirm the diagnosis on their own. If not, a biopsy may be needed. [1] Your provider will tell you which form is right for you.

What Is the Treatment for Chest Wall Tumors?

Chest wall tumor treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor and reconstructive surgery, with radiation or chemotherapy added for cancerous tumors. [1]

1. Surgery (resection) to remove the tumor. [1]

2. Reconstructive surgery to repair the damage the tumor caused to your chest wall. [1]

If the tumor is cancerous, you may also need:

• Radiation therapy [1]

• Chemotherapy [1]

Your provider will explain the best timing for your treatments. For example, your provider may recommend having chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor before it is removed. [1]

Most chest wall tumor treatment follows a two-step surgical path: remove the tumor, then reconstruct the chest wall. Cancerous tumors may also add radiation or chemotherapy, sometimes before surgery to shrink the tumor.

What Happens After Treatment?

After chest wall tumor treatment, your provider will explain your follow-up plan and tell you how often you need to come in for appointments. [1] As you recover, follow your provider's guidance on:

• Activity restrictions [1]

• Chest physiotherapy: exercises that help you recover and regain your strength [1]

• How to care for your surgical wound [1]

What Is the Outlook for People With Chest Wall Tumors?

The outlook for chest wall tumors depends on how much of the tumor can be removed, how far it has spread, and its grade, size and type. [1]

• How much of the tumor can be removed

• How much the tumor has spread

• Tumor grade and size

• Tumor type

Because outcomes vary widely, it's important to talk with your provider about your specific prognosis.

How Can I Lower My Risk?

Chest wall tumors may not be something you can prevent, at least not directly. But you can lower your risk of many forms of cancer with lifestyle changes:

• Avoid smoking and tobacco products [1]

• Get recommended vaccines, including the HPV vaccine [1]

• Get screening tests as recommended by your healthcare provider [1]

• Exercise regularly [1]

• Keep a healthy weight [1]

• Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption [1]

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk for various cancers and what lifestyle changes you should make.

When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?

See your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of a chest wall tumor. They'll talk with you about your symptoms and your family history, and they may run tests to investigate.

What is the bottom line on chest wall tumors?

Chest wall tumors are growths in the muscles, bones, or cartilage that protect your heart, lungs, and liver. About 60% are cancerous and 40% are benign, and they affect people of every age, though younger people tend to have smaller, noncancerous tumors and people over 40 face higher cancer risk. Because symptoms often appear late, any new lump, pain, or swelling on your chest deserves a prompt medical evaluation. Diagnosis relies on imaging and sometimes biopsy, and treatment usually combines tumor removal with chest wall reconstruction.

Conclusion: Get Trusted Health Answers From Rinnit.com

Exploring rare tumor types is hard when the language gets technical. Rinnit.com publishes plain-English health guides written for patients and families, so you can understand what a chest wall tumor is, ask your provider better questions, and feel prepared at every step. Explore more plain-English guides on rare diseases, cancers, and treatment options at Rinnit.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a chest wall tumor always cancer?

No. About 60% of chest wall tumors are cancerous, which means roughly 4 in 10 are noncancerous (benign). The only way to know is through imaging and, when needed, a biopsy.

What is the chest wall?

The chest wall is the protective structure surrounding your heart, lungs, and liver. It is made of soft tissues (muscles, nerves, fascia), bone, and cartilage.

Where do chest wall tumors usually form?

Tumors can form in any part of the chest wall, but they are most likely to form in bone, especially the ribs, or in cartilage.

What is the difference between primary and secondary chest wall tumors?

Primary chest wall tumors begin in the chest wall itself and can be cancerous or noncancerous. Secondary chest wall tumors begin somewhere else in your body and spread to the chest wall, and they are always cancerous.

What is the most common cancerous chest wall tumor in adults?

Chondrosarcoma, which forms in cartilage and can spread to bones, usually the ribs or breastbone (sternum).

What is the most common cancerous chest wall tumor in children and teens?

Ewing's sarcoma, which forms in bone or soft tissue around bone, often affecting a single rib.

What are the most common noncancerous chest wall tumors?

Chondroma, fibrous dysplasia, and osteochondroma.

Who gets chest wall tumors?

People of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. Some types are more common in children, others in adults.

Does age change the kind of tumor I might have?

Yes. Younger people are more likely to have small or noncancerous tumors. People over 40 are more likely to have large or cancerous tumors.

What does a chest wall tumor feel like?

Often nothing at first. When symptoms appear, you may notice a lump you can feel, pain, tenderness or swelling, trouble with movement, fever and malaise, muscle atrophy, or unexplained weight loss.

Can a chest wall tumor cause weight loss?

Yes. Unexplained weight loss is one of the possible symptoms of a chest wall tumor, along with fever, malaise, pain, and muscle atrophy.

What causes chest wall tumors?

Scientists don't know exactly what causes them. In some cases, genetics seem to play a role. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can raise the risk of secondary tumors by increasing the risk of cancers (like lung cancer) that can spread to the chest wall.

Does smoking cause chest wall tumors?

Smoking raises your risk of lung cancer, and lung cancer can spread to the chest wall. So smoking increases your risk for secondary chest wall tumors.

How is a chest wall tumor diagnosed?

Through imaging tests (chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and sometimes PET scan combined with CT) and, when needed, a biopsy.

Can a chest wall tumor be found by accident?

Yes. These are called incidental diagnoses: imaging done for other reasons happens to reveal a tumor.

Do I always need a biopsy?

Sometimes imaging tests confirm the diagnosis on their own. If not, your provider may recommend a biopsy, such as a needle biopsy.

What surgery is done for a chest wall tumor?

Usually two steps: surgery (resection) to remove the tumor, followed by reconstructive surgery to repair the damage the tumor caused to your chest wall.

Will I need radiation or chemotherapy?

If the tumor is cancerous, you may also need radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumor first.

What is recovery like after chest wall tumor surgery?

Your provider will give you a follow-up plan. Recovery guidance typically covers activity restrictions, chest physiotherapy (exercises that help you recover and regain strength), and how to care for your surgical wound.

What is the outlook after treatment?

Your outlook depends on how much of the tumor can be removed, how much it has spread, tumor grade and size, and tumor type. Because outcomes vary widely, talk with your provider about your specific prognosis.

Can chest wall tumors come back after treatment?

Some benign types, such as desmoid tumors, often come back after treatment. Your provider will set up a follow-up plan to watch for this.

Can I prevent a chest wall tumor?

You may not be able to prevent them, but you can lower your risk of many cancers with lifestyle changes: don't smoke, get recommended vaccines (including HPV), get recommended screening tests, exercise regularly, keep a healthy weight, and limit alcohol.

Does a benign chest wall tumor need treatment?

That depends on the tumor and its symptoms. Surgery is the usual treatment when one is needed, and your provider will explain what makes sense for your specific case.

When should I see a healthcare provider about my chest?

See your provider if you have any symptoms of a chest wall tumor: a new lump, pain, tenderness, swelling, trouble with movement, fever, or unexplained weight loss. Because symptoms often appear late, don't wait it out.

Related Reading on Rinnit.com

• Chondrosarcoma: Symptoms, Causes, Types, and Treatment Options Explained

• Desmoid Tumors (Aggressive Fibromatosis): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment — Complete Guide

Content reviewed and produced following the Rinnit editorial framework. Last updated: October 13, 2026.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you have read here. If you feel a new lump on your chest, or have chest pain, swelling, unexplained weight loss, or trouble with movement, see a healthcare provider promptly.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. Chest Wall Tumor. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated July 12, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23482-chest-wall-tumor

2. Bajaj T, Bakhru A, Aboeed A. Chest Wall Tumors. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Last updated January 19, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539908/

3. American Cancer Society. Bone Cancer. American Cancer Society. Last revised January 5, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer.html

4. Nationwide Children's Hospital. Chest Wall Tumors. Nationwide Children's Hospital. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/chest-wall-tumors

5. Budacan AM, Patel AJ, Babu P, et al. Chest wall resection and reconstruction for primary chest wall sarcomas: analysis of survival, predictors of outcome, and long-term functional status. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2025;169(4):1120-1130.e1. PMID 39332520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.09.035

6. Thakur S, Choong E, Balasooriya A, et al. Surgical resection of chest wall sarcomas: an analysis of survival and predictors of outcome at an Australian multidisciplinary sarcoma service. ANZ J Surg. 2022;92(10):2613-2619. PMID 35818677. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.17904

7. Saltsman JA, Danzer E, Hammond WJ, et al. Survival and scoliosis following resection of chest wall tumors in children and adolescents: a single-center retrospective analysis. Ann Surg. 2021;274(2):e167-e173. PMID 31356260. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000003495