Mediastinal Tumors
The mediastinum (me′de-ah-sti′ num) is the chest cavity between the lungs that contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, and other structures. Mediastinal tumors are rare. They are usually diagnosed in patients age 30 to 50 years, but they can develop at any age.

Cells are the building blocks that make up the tissue and organs in your body. Old or damaged cells usually die, and new cells take their place. But sometimes, the process goes wrong or a single cell starts to grow uncontrollably until it becomes a mass of tissue called a tumor. 

Sometimes, tumors are non-cancerous (benign) and are not life threatening; other times, the tumors are cancerous (malignant) and can invade surrounding tissues or spread to other areas of the body. Tumors can arise from any different type of cell, including bone, muscle, nerve cells, etc.

Types of Mediastinal Tumors
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Types of Mediastinal Tumors

Mediastinal tumors are rare. They are usually diagnosed in patients age 30 to 50 years, but they can develop at any age.

The location and type of mediastinal tumor vary according the age of the patient. 

In children, the tumors usually are non-cancerous (benign), usually start in the nerves (neurogenic), and usually are in the back of the mediastinum. In adults, the tumors generally are cancerous (malignant) and usually are in the front of the mediastinum. 

When a mediastinal tumor is cancerous, it usually is linked to lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes or lymph cells), germ cell tumors (cancers of testicular or ovarian type cells), or thymoma (a tumor of a normal mediastinal gland). 

Causes and Symptoms of Mediastinal Tumors
Chest pain
Pain in your chest that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
Cough
A forceful release of air from your lungs
Hoarseness
Being hoarse, having a scratchy voice 
Shortness of breath
Feeling that you cannot get enough air
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying
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Causes and Symptoms

The causes of mediastinal tumors differ based on the type of tumor and its location within the mediastinum.   

Almost half of mediastinal tumors cause no symptoms and are found on an x-ray for another reason.

Symptoms that do occur generally relate to pressure the tumor may have on other parts of the body. Symptoms may include chest pain, cough, fever, hoarseness, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, chills, and night sweats. 

Treatment varies depending on the type of mediastinal tumor and symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
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Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Tests that are most often used to evaluate mediastinal tumors are chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance images (MRI).  

CT scan showing a large mediastinal mass
CT scan showing a large mediastinal mass

Blood tests may be helpful in determining the type of tumor. Tissue sampling may involve needle biopsies, mediastinoscopy procedures with biopsy, or complete resection (removal) of the lesion by minimally invasive approach or sternotomy. For more information on these tests, visit our common diagnostic tests page.

Left untreated, mediastinal tumors may grow larger and can cause spinal cord compression or spread to nearby structures, such as the heart. If surgery is required, the procedure will be performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon. 

Neurogenic Tumors

Neurogenic tumors usually are treated with surgery

Neurogenic tumors usually are treated with surgery

Exploración por PET de un tumor neurogénico
Germ Cell Tumors

Germ cell tumors usually are treated with chemotherapy

Germ cell tumors usually are treated with chemotherapy

Tumor de células germinales con malignidad de tipo somático
Exploración por TC de un tumor germinal no seminomatoso
Thymomas

Thymomas or thymic cancers usually are treated with surgery (minimally invasive surgery, sternotomy, orthoracotomy) and may include radiation or chemotherapy

Thymomas or thymic cancers usually are treated with surgery (minimally invasive surgery, sternotomy, orthoracotomy) and may include radiation or chemotherapy

Exploración por TC de un cáncer de timo
As with any surgery or procedure, there are risks involved.
Recovery
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Recovery

 Minimally invasive procedures, such as thoracoscopy, may offer decreased postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and a reduced risk of infection. 

Talk with your doctor about the option that may be right for you. You can print these sample questions to use as a basis for discussion with your doctor.

Reviewed by: Robbin G. Cohen, MD, with assistance from John Hallsten and Travis Schwartz
August 2016 

Previously reviewed by: Rishindra Reddy, MD, and Jules Lin, MD 
 

Questions for Your Doctor
Will my condition ever get better without treatment? Can it get worse?
Where is my mediastinal tumor located?
Is it cancerous? If yes, what is the survival rate for my particular kind of cancer?
What are my treatment options?
What are the potential side effects of this treatment?
How often do you perform the procedure that you’ve recommended for me?
What is the success rate for that specific procedure?
Are there any lifestyle changes I can make now?
When should I seek medical attention if I am experiencing symptoms following treatment?
Will I have any restrictions after treatment? (activity, driving, etc)
How long will I be out of work?
Will I have to change my diet and/or lifestyle after treatment?
Will I have to take any long-term medications?
How likely is it that I will need additional treatment later?
Are there any clinical trials relevant to my cancer?
If I want a second opinion, how would I get one?
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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