OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience in diagnosis and surgical treatment of giant intrathoracic solid tumors.

METHODSThe data of surgically treated 36 patients with giant intrathoracic solid tumors were analyzed, including 19 males and 17 females. Complete resection was achieved in 34 cases with superior vena cava angioplasty in 3 cases and ligation of the left anonymous vein in 2 cases. Six patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThe symptoms in 32 cases were significantly improved. Two patients (5.6%) died of postoperative respiratory infection and failure. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 14.2 days. Pulmonary edema occurred in 6 cases due to rapid decompression of the lung. Pathological results showed that 25 cases had benign tumors and 11 had malignancy. During the follow-up of 1 to 22 years, all patients with benign tumors were still alive, but the patients with malignant tumors had a mean survival time of only 2.1 years.

CONCLUSIONSurgical treatment for giant intrathoracic solid tumors is suggested whenever technically possible. Even though a tumor can not be completely resected, satisfied results could still be achieved if combined with postoperative radiotherapy. Proper anesthesia, satisfied exposure with a suitable incision, appropriate resection pattern and hemostatic method are the keys for successful surgical treatment.