Which statement about solitary fibrous tumor treatment is true?

Which statement about solitary fibrous tumor treatment is true?

• A. Surgical management with VATS wedge resection is standard
• B. Chemotherapy is the first-line treatment
• C. Radiation therapy alone cures most cases
• D. Observation is sufficient for all patients

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that solitary fibrous tumors in the chest are treated primarily with surgical removal aimed at complete excision with negative margins. These tumors are typically resistant to chemotherapy and, for localized disease, can often be cured by removing them entirely. When the lesion is small and peripherally located, a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection is a preferred, minimally invasive approach that achieves complete removal with less morbidity than an open operation. Chemotherapy is not used as the first-line treatment because these tumors generally do not respond reliably to systemic agents, so it does not offer a clear curative benefit for localized disease. Radiation therapy alone does not cure most cases; it may be considered as an adjuvant option in select situations, such as malignant histology, close or positive margins after resection, or when the tumor is unresectable. Observation without treatment is not appropriate for most patients, since the tumor can grow and cause symptoms or undergo malignant transformation, making definitive surgical management the preferred course when feasible. So, the statement that surgical management with VATS wedge resection is standard reflects the primary treatment approach for localized solitary fibrous tumors.

The main idea is that solitary fibrous tumors in the chest are treated primarily with surgical removal aimed at complete excision with negative margins. These tumors are typically resistant to chemotherapy and, for localized disease, can often be cured by removing them entirely. When the lesion is small and peripherally located, a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection is a preferred, minimally invasive approach that achieves complete removal with less morbidity than an open operation.

Chemotherapy is not used as the first-line treatment because these tumors generally do not respond reliably to systemic agents, so it does not offer a clear curative benefit for localized disease. Radiation therapy alone does not cure most cases; it may be considered as an adjuvant option in select situations, such as malignant histology, close or positive margins after resection, or when the tumor is unresectable. Observation without treatment is not appropriate for most patients, since the tumor can grow and cause symptoms or undergo malignant transformation, making definitive surgical management the preferred course when feasible.

So, the statement that surgical management with VATS wedge resection is standard reflects the primary treatment approach for localized solitary fibrous tumors.