Mediastinal tumor

Mediastinal tumors are growths that form in the middle of the chest area, which separates the lungs.

Causes

The mediastinum is the part of the chest that lies between the sternum and the spinal column, and between the lungs. This area contains the heart, large blood vessels, windpipe (trachea), thymus gland, and connective tissues. The mediastinum is divided into three sections:

  • Anterior (front)
  • Middle
  • Posterior (back)

Mediastinal tumors are rare.

The most common location for tumors in the mediastinum depends on the age of the patient. In children, tumors are more common in the posterior mediastinum. These tumors often begin in the nerves and are non-cancerous (benign).

Most mediastinal tumors in adults occur in the anterior mediastinum and are usually cancerous (malignant) lymphomas or thymomas. These tumors are most common in people ages 30 - 50.

Symptoms

Almost half of mediastinal tumors cause no symptoms and are found on a chest x-ray performed for another reason. Symptoms that do occur are due to pressure on (compression of) local structures and may include:

Exams and Tests

A medical history and physical examination may show:

Further testing may include:

Treatment

Treatment for mediastinal tumors depends on the type of tumor.

  • For thymic cancers, surgery is the treatment of choice. It may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the tumor and the success of the surgery.
  • For lymphomas, chemotherapy followed by radiation is the treatment of choice.
  • For neurogenic tumors of the posterior mediastinum, surgery is the treatment of choice.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on the type of tumor. Different tumors respond differently to chemotherapy and radiation.

Possible Complications

Complications of mediastinal tumors include:

  • Spinal cord compression
  • Spread to nearby structures such as the heart, lining around the heart (pericardium), and great vessels (aorta and vena cava)

Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy can all have serious complications.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of a mediastinal tumor.

Alternative Names

Thymoma - mediastinal; Lymphoma - mediastinal

References

Celli BR. Diseases of the diaphragm, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 100.

Updated: 4/6/2012

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Notice: The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.