Skip to content
Inciteful Med
Resources About us Ask a Question

Where In The Body Do Solitary Fibrous Tumors (SFT) Grow?

Published: | Updated:

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) can grow almost anywhere, not just in the lung lining. Whether in the chest, brain, or abdomen, they are the same disease. However, your tumor's location will determine your specific symptoms, the type of specialized surgeon you need, and your risk of recurrence.

Key Takeaways

  • • Solitary fibrous tumors can develop almost anywhere in the body, including the chest, brain, abdomen, and soft tissues.
  • • Tumors found outside the lung lining are called extra-pleural SFTs but share the same underlying genetic biology as chest tumors.
  • • SFTs located in the brain and spinal cord were historically diagnosed as hemangiopericytomas (HPC) before modern testing proved they are the same disease.
  • • The specific location of your tumor determines what type of specialized surgeon is required to perform the removal.
  • • Tumor location is a key factor used by pathologists to estimate the risk of recurrence and plan long-term follow-up care.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are rare tumors that can grow almost anywhere in the body [1]. Because of the history of how these tumors were classified, many patients are surprised to learn that their tumor is located outside of the chest [2]. However, it is entirely normal for an SFT to be found in other organs, spaces, or soft tissues [3].

The Pleura (Lining of the Lungs)

Historically, solitary fibrous tumors were first discovered and studied in the pleura, which is the thin layer of tissue that lines the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity [1]. For a long time, doctors believed SFTs only grew in the chest [2]. Because of this history, you may still see older medical articles referring to SFTs primarily as lung or chest tumors.

Extra-Pleural SFTs (Outside the Chest)

Today, doctors know that SFTs can develop in virtually any part of the body [4][3]. When an SFT grows somewhere other than the lung lining, it is called an extra-pleural solitary fibrous tumor [5]. While they can appear anywhere, the most common extra-pleural locations include:

  • The Meninges: This is the protective membrane that covers your brain and spinal cord [3]. In the past, SFTs in the meninges were often diagnosed as hemangiopericytomas (HPC) [6]. Thanks to modern testing, doctors now know that these brain and spinal tumors share the exact same genetic fingerprint as SFTs in the chest, so they are grouped together as the same disease [6][7].
  • The Abdomen and Pelvis: SFTs frequently grow in the abdominal cavity, the retroperitoneum (the space deep in the back of the abdomen behind the major organs), and the pelvis [3][8].
  • Other Soft Tissues: They can also appear in the soft tissues of the arms, legs, or the head and neck area [2][9].

Does Location Matter?

Whether your tumor is in the pleura or is extra-pleural, the underlying disease is the same [10]. All SFTs are defined by a specific genetic feature called the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion [11][10]. It is important to know that this is a genetic change that only happens inside the tumor cells—it is not a trait you inherited from your parents, nor is it something you can pass on to your children.

However, the location of your tumor is important for a few practical reasons:

  • Symptoms: A tumor in your chest might cause a cough or shortness of breath, a tumor in your abdomen might cause a feeling of fullness, and a tumor in the meninges might cause headaches or neurological changes [12]. Conversely, many SFTs cause no symptoms at all and are discovered accidentally during a scan for an unrelated issue.
  • Surgery: The primary treatment for SFTs is surgical removal [1]. The location of your tumor determines what type of surgeon you need—for example, a thoracic surgeon for the chest, a neurosurgeon for the brain, or a surgical oncologist for the abdomen. Because SFTs are rare, it is often helpful to ask if a multidisciplinary team or a sarcoma specialist should be involved in planning your surgery.
  • Future Risks: Patients with extra-pleural SFTs statistically have a slightly higher risk of the tumor returning or spreading compared to those with pleural tumors [5][13]. Pathologists often use specific risk assessment models (such as the Demicco score) that look at your tumor’s location, size, and mitotic count (a measure of how fast the tumor cells are dividing under a microscope) to estimate this risk and create a personalized follow-up plan [14][15].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can solitary fibrous tumors grow outside the lungs?
Yes. While historically discovered in the lung lining, solitary fibrous tumors can develop almost anywhere in the body. These are called extra-pleural SFTs and frequently occur in the abdomen, brain, spinal cord, or soft tissues of the limbs.
Are hemangiopericytomas the same as solitary fibrous tumors?
Yes. In the past, tumors located in the meninges of the brain and spinal cord were diagnosed as hemangiopericytomas. Modern genetic testing has shown they share the exact same genetic features as SFTs, so they are now classified as the same disease.
Does the location of an SFT affect my treatment?
The location of your tumor primarily determines the type of specialized surgeon you will need, such as a thoracic surgeon for the chest or a neurosurgeon for the brain. The primary standard treatment for SFTs in any location is surgical removal.
Does where my tumor is located affect the chance of it returning?
Yes, location can play a role in recurrence risk. Patients with extra-pleural tumors found outside the chest statistically have a slightly higher risk of the tumor returning or spreading compared to those with tumors in the lung lining.

Questions for Your Doctor

  • • Given the specific location of my SFT, what type of specialist is best equipped to perform the surgery?
  • • Does my pathology report use the Demicco score or another model to assess my risk of the tumor returning?
  • • Are there any microscopic features, such as the mitotic count, that suggest my tumor might behave aggressively?
  • • Should a multidisciplinary team or a sarcoma specialist review my case before we proceed with surgery?
  • • If my tumor was found in the meninges, does my pathology report mention the NAB2-STAT6 fusion to confirm it is an SFT rather than a different brain tumor?

Questions for You

  • • What symptoms, if any, first led to the discovery of my tumor, or was it found by accident during another test?
  • • Do I feel confident that my current surgical team has experience with rare tumors in this specific part of my body?
  • • Has my doctor explained what the pathology report says about my specific tumor beyond just its location?

Want personalized information?

Type your question below to get evidence-based answers tailored to your situation.

References

  1. 1

    Implications of Adverse Biological Factors and Management of Solitary Fibrous Tumors of the Pleura.

    Andrews WG, Vallières E

    Thoracic surgery clinics 2021; (31(3)):347-355 doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2021.04.009.

    PMID: 34304844
  2. 2

    Liver metastases of a malignant solitary fibrous tumor: the important role of immunohistochemistry in this rare entity.

    Santoyo Villalba J, Cañas García I, Fernández Segovia F, Pérez Alonso AJ

    Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas 2022; (114(9)):552-553 doi:10.17235/reed.2022.8593/2022.

    PMID: 35042366
  3. 3

    Solitary fibrous tumour presenting as a submucosal colonic polyp: a new addition to the family of mesenchymal polyps of the gastrointestinal tract.

    Ligato S, Collins K, Song X

    Histopathology 2016; (69(6)):1088-1090 doi:10.1111/his.13050.

    PMID: 27483448
  4. 4

    [Doege-Potter syndrome and intra-abdominal giant solitary fibrous tumor: Case report].

    Lira-Díaz A, Arizpe-Vilana D, de Anda-González MGJ

    Revista medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social 2025; (63(1)):e6127 doi:10.5281/zenodo.14201059.

    PMID: 40267371
  5. 5

    Grade III solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma: An enthralling intracranial tumor-A case report and literature review.

    Al Armashi AR, Alkrekshi A, Al Zubaidi A, et al.

    Radiology case reports 2022; (17(10)):3792-3796 doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2022.07.007.

    PMID: 35965927
  6. 6

    Hemangiopericytoma/solitaryfibrous tumor of mandible: A rare entity.

    Routray S, Mohanty N, Panda S, Sahoo SR

    Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP 2015; (19(2)):260-2 doi:10.4103/0973-029X.164546.

    PMID: 26604507
  7. 7

    Intracranial solitary fibrous tumor/ hemangiopericytoma with osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells: comparison with giant cell-rich solitary fibrous tumor.

    Vizcaíno MA, Bishop J, Sharma R, et al.

    Clinical neuropathology 2016; (35(4)):171-7 doi:10.5414/NP300933.

    PMID: 27049065
  8. 8

    A giant solitary fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland in a 13-year old: a case report and review of the literature.

    Gebresellassie HW, Mohammed Y, Kotiso B, et al.

    Journal of medical case reports 2019; (13(1)):246 doi:10.1186/s13256-019-2163-z.

    PMID: 31391097
  9. 9

    Solitary Fibrous Tumors: 2016 Imaging Update.

    Keraliya AR, Tirumani SH, Shinagare AB, et al.

    Radiologic clinics of North America 2016; (54(3)):565-79.

    PMID: 27153789
  10. 10

    [Two Cases of Primary Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor:Genetic Examination of NAB2-STAT6 Fusion and Its Association with Hemangiopericytoma].

    Kikuchi A, Fujita T, Takahashi Y, et al.

    No shinkei geka. Neurological surgery 2015; (43(7)):641-8 doi:10.11477/mf.1436203090.

    PMID: 26136329
  11. 11

    Solitary Fibrous Tumor in the Retroperitoneal Space Arising from the Diaphragm.

    Seito T, Kaneko T, Kawai T, et al.

    In vivo (Athens, Greece) 2023; (37(6)):2849-2853 doi:10.21873/invivo.13401.

    PMID: 37905637
  12. 12

    Descriptive epidemiology of 399 histologically confirmed newly diagnosed meningeal solitary fibrous tumours and haemangiopericytomas in France: 2006-2015.

    Champeaux Depond C, Zouaoui S, Darlix A, et al.

    Acta neurochirurgica 2024; (166(1)):320 doi:10.1007/s00701-024-06191-y.

    PMID: 39093339
  13. 13

    Metastatic Patterns of Solitary Fibrous Tumors: A Single-Institution Experience.

    O'Neill AC, Tirumani SH, Do WS, et al.

    AJR. American journal of roentgenology 2017; (208(1)):2-9 doi:10.2214/AJR.16.16662.

    PMID: 27762594
  14. 14

    Risk assessment in solitary fibrous tumors: validation and refinement of a risk stratification model.

    Demicco EG, Wagner MJ, Maki RG, et al.

    Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc 2017; (30(10)):1433-1442 doi:10.1038/modpathol.2017.54.

    PMID: 28731041
  15. 15

    Solitary fibrous tumor with atypical features of the paravesical space: benign clinical course at the 10-years follow-up. Report of a case and review of the literature.

    Magro G, Salvatorelli L, Piombino E, et al.

    Pathologica 2020; (112(4)):200-209 doi:10.32074/1591-951X-126.

    PMID: 33393523

This page provides educational information about solitary fibrous tumor locations and behavior. Always consult your surgical or oncology team for medical advice tailored to your specific tumor and situation.

Stay up to date

Get notified when new research about Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT) is published.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.