Cardiothorasic Chest Conditions & Surgeries

Chest Wall Tumors

Chest wall tumors are often noticed by a lump, bump or protrusion in the chest.

Pulmonary Metastases

A pulmonary (lung) metastasis is cancer that started in another part of the body and spread to the lungs. It’s also called secondary lung cancer or metastatic lung tumors.

Thoracotomy

A thoracotomy is surgery completed through an incision in the chest wall. A thoracotomy may be used for surgery on the lungs, esophagus, trachea, heart, aorta, or diaphragm. The exact place where the incision is made depends on the reason for the surgery. It is usually across the side of the mid-chest.

Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

VATS is a way to do surgery inside the chest. With open surgery, the physician makes one large incision in your chest. But with VATS, the physician makes several small cuts. VATS also differs from open surgery because the physician does not have to cut through the ribs or breastbone (sternum).

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This is called the pleural space. The procedure may also be called a “chest tap.” It is normal to have a small amount of fluid in the pleural space. But too much fluid can build up because of problems such as infection, heart failure, and lung cancer.

Mediastinal Tumors

Mediastinal tumors form in the area of the chest that separates the lungs, the mediastinum. The mediastinum contains the heart, nerves, aorta, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and lymph nodes.

Malignant Pleural Effusions

A malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is the buildup of fluid and cancer cells that collects between the chest wall and the lung. This can cause you to have chest discomfort as well as feel short of breath. It is a fairly common complication in a number of different cancers.