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Alternative names Return to top
Thymoma - mediastinal; Lymphoma - mediastinalDefinition Return to top
Mediastinal tumors form in the cavity that separates the lungs. This cavity contains the heart, large blood vessels, trachea, thymus, and connective tissues.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
The mediastinum is the part of the chest between the sternum and the spinal column. It contains the esophagus, trachea, heart, and other important structures. The mediastinum is divided into three sections:
Overall, mediastinal tumors are rare.
The most common location for tumors within the mediastinum varies according to the age of the patient. In children, tumors are more common in the posterior mediastinum. These often begin in the nerves and are often benign.
In contrast, most mediastinal tumors in adults occur in the anterior mediastinum and are usually malignant (cancerous) lymphomas or thymomas. These occur most commonly in people aged 30-50.
Symptoms Return to top
Almost half of mediastinal tumors cause no symptoms and are discovered on a chest x-ray performed for another reason. When present, symptoms are related to compression of local structures and may include:
Signs and tests Return to top
Mediastinal tumors are first suspected during history and physical examination which may reveal:
Further diagnostic evaluation typically includes:
Treatment Return to top
Treatment for mediastinal tumors varies based on the type of tumor.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Prognosis varies based on the type of tumor. Different tumors have varying responses to chemotherapy and radiation.Complications Return to top
Complications of mediastinal tumors include invasion of surrounding structures such as the heart, pericardium (the lining around the heart), and great vessels (the aorta and vena cava). Spinal cord compression is a complication seen in tumors of the posterior mediastinum. Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy can all have serious complications.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of a mediastinal tumor. Update Date: 8/3/2004 Updated by: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |