Intrathoracic rupture of an extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is typically a slow-growing tumor with a prolonged clinical course. We describe a case of EMC that was complicated by intrathoracic rupture of the tumor and took an aggressive clinical course. A 64-year-old man with a precordial tumor suddenly began suffering from acute chest pain. Radiographic examination revealed a massive pleural effusion. Emergency surgery was performed but resulted in rupture of the pleural side of the tumor. The tumor was resected with the chest wall. The patient died 16 months after surgery owing to abdominal wall recurrence.