Clinical management and long-term outcomes in pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a 12-Year experience with 14 surgically treated adult patients at a single center

Background Pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (PIMT) is a rare, borderline mesenchymal neoplasm with unclear etiology. It carries recurrence risks but lacks robust data on surgical outcomes in adults. This study analyzes clinicopathological features and long-term results of surgically managed adult PIMT patients at a single center. Methods A retrospective analysis of 14 adults (9 male, 5 female; mean age 47.6± 14.1 years) undergoing surgical resection for pathologically confirmed PIMT (2012-2023) at a single institution. All patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Immunohistochemistry was systematically analyzed. The median follow-up for all patients was 53 months (range, 24-122 months). Results Common presenting symptoms included cough (35.7%) , chest tightness (28.6%), and asymptomatic (28.6%). Mean tumor diameter was 3.1± 0.9 cm. Complete (R0) resection was achieved in all cases. No recurrence or metastasis was observed to the time of writing. Conclusion PIMT is a rare tumor requiring pathological confirmation. Complete surgical resection (R0) via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is the preferred curative approach, demonstrating excellent long-term outcomes in this cohort with no recurrence or metastasis observed, but close surveillance is essential due to potential recurrence risk.