What is a mediastinal tumor

Mediastinal tumors are currently divided into two categories, benign and malignant. 95% of most adults have no symptoms after developing the disease, which is called benign. The chance of malignancy is naturally lower than that of benign. However, if the disease is delayed and not treated, and the early symptoms cannot be discovered, it will eventually lead to the disease continuing to turn into malignancy. Therefore, we must have a correct understanding of the disease and be vigilant even if there are minor symptoms in the body.

Mediastinal tumors are divided into two categories: benign and malignant.

95% of asymptomatic mediastinal tumors in adults are benign, 47% of symptomatic tumors are benign, and 25%-50% are malignant. The most common types of mediastinal tumors are neurogenic tumors, thymus tumors, and teratomas. Mainly include:

1 Thymoma is the most common mass in the anterior mediastinum. It is a solid lymphoepithelioma, most of which have a complete capsule and are nodular and lobed. The tumor size varies, ranging from 2cm to more than 30cm. There are lymphocytic, epithelial, mixed and spindle cell types.

There are no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Tumor compression of the trachea may cause coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain; compression of the esophagus may cause dysphagia. Superior vena cava compression syndrome is rare. Tumors that grow quickly can be easily misdiagnosed as tumors.

There is a certain relationship between thymoma and myasthenia gravis. Treatment is mainly surgical resection.

2 Intrathoracic thyroid nodules account for about 1%-3% of thyroid surgeries, with a higher incidence in women than in men, at a ratio of about 2:1, and most patients are over 40 years old. The thoracic thyroid gland was originally located in the neck. Due to the effects of gravity, neck flexion and extension, swallowing activities and negative pressure in the chest cavity, the adenoma or nodule in the lower part or isthmus gradually causes the thyroid gland to fall forward and downward along the vertebral body into the upper mediastinum of the sternum. It is mostly on the right side and in front of the trachea. A few are located behind the trachea or in front of the esophagus, and a few are in the upper mediastinum, causing the trachea to move to the right. There are also cases of thyroid ectopic embryos.

Patients have prolonged dyspnea and often have colloid-nodular thyroid bodies in the neck. A few have symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism and superior vena cava compression. Chest X-ray can show tracheal displacement and upper mediastinal shadow connected to the mediastinal shadow.

The edge of the mass is clear, and cystic changes into calcification points can be seen. The lateral view can show the relationship between the mass and the trachea. Fluoroscopy can show that the thyroid gland in the chest moves up and down with swallowing, and the diagnosis is confirmed by isotope scanning. Treatment is mainly surgical resection.

3 Germ cell tumors originate from primitive embryonic cells. The most common is teratoma. 70% of teratomas are benign; 30% are malignant. Teratomas are common in young people, with no gender difference. Malignant tumors are more common in men. Cystic non-infected ones are round with smooth edges and contain turbid yellow mucus, hair, seborrheic glands, etc. Cysts are often asymmetrical and can cause chest discomfort or pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Large tumors may compress the superior vena cava, causing superior vena cava syndrome and phrenic nerve palsy. Some can cause pneumonia and atelectasis. X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can aid in the diagnosis. Its treatment is mainly surgical resection.

4 Parathyroid nodules are rare masses that descend into the anterior mediastinum along with the thyroid gland during the mid-embryonic period. Parathyroid masses are small and can be seen on X-rays only when the gland forms a mass or growth. It has a complete capsule and is mostly benign. Patients often experience fatigue, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, decreased muscle tone, etc., and rarely cause local compression symptoms. Laboratory examinations showed hypercalcemia, decreased blood phosphate, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and hypercalciuria.

5 Lipoma can occur in any part of the body, but is most common in the lower mediastinum and the cardiophrenic angle. X-rays show blocky shadows with unclear outlines and lighter density. Generally, there are no symptoms, but huge tumors may compress surrounding organs and cause symptoms.

6Fibroma can appear in any part of the mediastinum. X-ray shows a clear outline, bulging toward one side of the mediastinum, and no calcification. Most cases are asymptomatic and are often complicated by pleural effusion.