Mediastinal Tumors
Overview :
Mediastinal tumors develop in the mediastinum. The mediastinum is the area in the middle of the chest that lies between the sternum (breastbone) and spinal column. The area contains vital organs including the heart, esophagus, and trachea.
Mediastinal tumors develop in one of three areas of the mediastinum: the anterior (front), the middle, or the posterior (back). The position of the tumor in the mediastinum typically depends on patient’s age.
Children are more likely to develop them in the back of the mediastinum. These are often benign, or noncancerous. Adults are more likely to develop them in the front of the mediastinum. These tumors are typically malignant, or cancerous. Affected adults are usually between the ages of 30 and 50. As a whole, mediastinal tumors are very rare.
causes:
There are a number of different types of mediastinal tumors. What causes these tumors depends on where they form in the mediastinum.
In the front of the mediastinum, tumors can be caused by:
- lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- thymoma and thymic cyst (a tumor of the thymus)
In the middle of the mediastinum, tumors can be caused by:
- bronchogenic cyst (a benign growth that starts in the respiratory system)
- lymphadenopathy mediastinal, or enlargement of the lymph nodes
- pericardial cyst (a benign growth on the heart lining)
- tracheal tumors (usually benign growths)
In the back of the mediastinum, tumors can be caused by:
- neuroenteric cyst mediastinal (a rare growth involving both the nerves and the gastrointestinal system)
- neurogenic neoplasm mediastinal (cancerous cells of the nerves)
Symptoms
No symptoms seen in early phase. Tumors are typically found during a chest X-ray that was ordered to diagnose another health condition.
If symptoms develop, it’s often because the tumor is pushing on surrounding organs. Symptoms can include:
1
cough
2
shortness of breath
3
chest pain
4
fever/chills
5
Night Sweats
6
unexplained weight loss
7
respiratory blockage
Diagnosis
Tests to confirm your diagnosis:
- a chest X-ray
- a CT scan of the chest
- an MRI of the chest
- a mediastinoscopy with biopsy
Treatment
Treatment for mediastinal tumors will depend on their location .Surgery is often used first to remove the tumor. Once the tumor is removed, your doctor may use chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells.