Which of the following is NOT an example of a benign soft tissue chest wall tumor?

Which of the following is NOT an example of a benign soft tissue chest wall tumor?

• A. Osteochondroma
• B. Lipoma
• C. Cavernous hemangioma
• D. Lymphangioma

Answer: (A)

The key idea is whether the lesion arises from bone or from soft tissue. Osteochondroma is a bony exostosis that originates from rib or other bone and, on imaging, shows continuity of the cortex and medullary canal with the parent bone. That makes it a bone lesion rather than a soft tissue tumor. In contrast, lipoma, cavernous hemangioma, and lymphangioma are classic benign tumors or malformations of the soft tissues of the chest wall. So the lesion that is not a benign soft tissue chest wall tumor is osteochondroma. Imaging often confirms the diagnosis by showing bone continuity and a cartilage cap.

The key idea is whether the lesion arises from bone or from soft tissue. Osteochondroma is a bony exostosis that originates from rib or other bone and, on imaging, shows continuity of the cortex and medullary canal with the parent bone. That makes it a bone lesion rather than a soft tissue tumor. In contrast, lipoma, cavernous hemangioma, and lymphangioma are classic benign tumors or malformations of the soft tissues of the chest wall. So the lesion that is not a benign soft tissue chest wall tumor is osteochondroma. Imaging often confirms the diagnosis by showing bone continuity and a cartilage cap.