Mielolipoma primario mediastinal / Primary mediastinal myelolipoma

Resumen El mielolipoma es un tumor benigno no funcional, la mayoría de ellos son asintomáticos y descubiertos de forma incidental a través de estudios de imagen o en es tudios de autopsia. Aun cuando la mayoría de los casos se presenta en la glándula suprarrenal, también se han informado en sitios extra-adrenales. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 65 años de edad con un mielolipoma primario mediastinal. La tomografía computarizada de tórax mostró un tumor ovoide de bordes bien definidos de 6.5 × 4.2 cm, localizado en el mediastino posterior. Se realizó biopsia transtorácica de la lesión y el estudio microscópico reveló elementos hematopoyéticos y tejido adiposo maduro. Aun cuando los estudios de imagen como la tomografía computarizada y la resonancia mag nética son efectivos en el diagnóstico del mielolipoma primario mediastinal, la evaluación histopatológica es esencial para el diagnóstico definitivo.

Abstract Myelolipoma is a benign non-functional tumor. Most of them are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, either through imaging studies or at autopsy. While it most commonly occurs in the adrenal gland, it has also been reported at extra-adrenal sites. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with a primary mediastinal myelolipoma. Computer tomographic scan of the thorax showed an ovoid tumor with well-defined borders of 6.5 × 4.2 cm, located in the posterior mediastinum. A transthoracic biopsy of the lesion was made, and the microscopic observation revealed hematopoietic cells and mature adipose tissue. Although computed tomo graphy and magnetic resonance imaging are effective in diagnosing mediastinal myelolipoma, histopathological examination is essential for the definitive diagnosis.

Caracterización de los pacientes operados de tumores del mediastino / Surgical-evolutionary Characterization of Patients Operated on for Mediastinal Tumors

RESUMEN Introducción: Las neoplasias mediastinales son tumores poco frecuentes, pueden aparecer a cualquier edad, por lo general entre la tercera y quinta décadas y se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina en pacientes asintomáticos. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes operados de tumores de mediastino según variables clínicas y quirúrgicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de tipo serie de casos con una muestra de 37 pacientes ingresados y operados en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente "Saturnino Lora" de Santiago de Cuba, con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal durante los años 2010 a 2017. Resultados: La esternotomía fue la vía de acceso más utilizada y se logró efectuar exéresis completa en 31 enfermos. Primaron las variedades histológicas malignas (54,1 por ciento); solo hubo cuatro complicaciones posoperatorias de relevancia y dos fallecidos. Conclusión: Predominaron los tumores malignos en los que se identificó una amplia gama de variedades histológicas, atribuibles a las características del órgano afectado. La selección de la vía de entrada al tórax, así como el procedimiento quirúrgico estuvo condicionados por el lugar y tamaño del tumor en el mediastino. Los resultados quirúrgicos fueron favorables, avalados por el bajo número de complicaciones y nivel de mortalidad en la serie(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mediastinal neoplasms are rare tumors that may appear at any age, generally between the third and fifth decades of life, and incidentally discovered by a routine chest radiograph performed on asymptomatic patients. Objective: To characterize the patients operated on for mediastinal tumors according to selected surgical and evolutionary variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and case series study was carried out with a sample of 37 patients hospitalized and operated on in the general surgery service at Saturnino Lora Teaching Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, with a diagnosis of mediastinal tumor, and during the years 2010 to 2017. Results: Sternotomy was the most widely used access route and complete exeresis was achieved in 31 patients. Malignant histological varieties prevailed (54.1 percent). There were only four relevant postoperative complications and two deaths. Conclusion: Malignant tumors predominated with a wide range of histological varieties identified, attributable to the characteristics of the affected organ. Selection of the access route into the thorax and the surgical procedure were conditioned by location and size of the tumor in the mediastine. The surgical outcomes were favorable, supported by the low number of complications and the level of mortality in the series(AU)

Da Vinci robot-assisted surgery versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for resection of mediastinal tumors: A retrospective cohort study / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To summarize the experience of minimally invasive anterior mediastinal tumor resection in our center, and compare the Da Vinci robotic and video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches in the treatment of mediastinal tumor. Methods    A retrospective cohort study was conducted to continuously enroll 102 patients who underwent minimally invasive mediastinal tumor resection between September 2014 and November 2019 by the single medical group in our department. They were divided into two groups: a robotic group (n=47, 23 males and 24 females, average age of 52 years) and a thoracoscopic group (n=55, 29 males and 26 females, average age of 53 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative thoracic drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expense and other clinical data of two groups were compared and analyzed. Results    All the patients successfully completed the surgery and recovered from hospital, with no perioperative death. Myasthenia gravis occurred in 4 patients of the robotic group and 5 of the thoracoscopic group. The tumor size was 2.5 (0.8-8.7) cm in the robotic group and 3.0 (0.8-7.7) cm in the thoracoscopic group. Operation time was 62 (30-132) min in the robotic group and 60 (29-118) min in the thoracoscopic group. Intraoperative bleeding volume was 20 (2-50) mL in the robotic group and 20 (5-100) mL in the thoracoscopic group. The postoperative drainage volume was 240 (20-14 130) mL in the robotic group and 295 (20-1 070) mL in the thoracoscopic group. The postoperative drainage time was 2 (1-15) days in the robotic group and 2 (1-5) days in the thoracoscopic group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the above parameters and postoperative complications (P>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay were 3 (2-18) days in the robotic group and 4 (2-14) in the thoracoscopic group (P=0.014). The hospitalization cost was 67 489 (26 486-89 570) yuan in the robotic group and 27 917 (16 817-67 603) yuan in the thoracoscopic group (P=0.000). Conclusion    Compared with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, Da Vinci robot-assisted surgery owns the same efficacy and safety in the treatment of mediastinal tumor, with shorter postoperative hospital stay, but higher cost.

Mediastinal Nut–Midline Carcinoma In 11– Year Old Boy – A Case Report

NUT-midline carcinoma is a rare and very aggressive tumor, with fast progression and poor prognosis. It should be suspected in poorly differentiated tumors, especially if located in midline structures of the head, neck, and thorax. It is characterized by gene translocation of nuclear protein in testis (NUT) gene from chromosome 15, most frequently to bromodomain containing protein 4 (BDR4) gene on chromosome 19. We present a case of mediastinal NUT-midline carcinoma in 11-year old boy.CT revealed a large mediastinal mass on the right side, with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), neuron-specic enolase (NSE), ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The patient was treated with chemotherapy, but the progression of disease was rapid, and he died within four months after the onset of disease.

Fatores associados à sobrevida de pacientes com tumores de mediastino / Associated factors to survival of patients with mediastinal tumors

Os tumores de mediastino são patologias raras porém com uma taxa de letalidade elevada. Devido ao quadro clínico inespecífico, estudos que possam esclarecer quais são os fatores que estão associados a sobrevida, podem delinear estratégias de conduta que futuramente possam mudar esta situação. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a sobrevida e os fatores associados em pacientes com tumores de mediastino na Grande Florianópolis. Foi realizado um estudo de análise de sobrevida no HRSJ em São José, SC. A população incluiu 127 pacientes com tumores de mediastino de junho de 1995 à dezembro de 2014. Os dados foram extraídos por uso do instrumento de coleta desenvolvido para o estudo. A análise estatística foi feita no programa SPSS® versão 16.0 e aplicaram-se o método Kaplan-Meier para as funções de sobrevida e o teste de Log-rank para associação. Aprovado no CEP UNISUL e HRSJ. A sobrevida geral em 5 anos foi de 77,5%. A proporção quanto ao gênero foi 1:1, com idade média de 44,31 anos. Nos tumores benignos 61,7% eram assintomáticos e os nos tumores malignos 63,4% eram sintomáticos (p=0,03). A sobrevida tumores de células germinativas foi de 30% em 5 anos e nos cistos foi de 100% em 5 anos. Os tumores malignos se mostraram os mais letais (p=0,02), sendo os tumores de células germinativas o principal tipo histológico. O quadro clínico sintomático mostrou-se mais prevalente nos tumores malignos.

Mediastinal tumors are a rare type of disease, however it has a high lethality rate. Owing to the inespecific clinical, studies that can elucidate which are the associated factors to survival, can trace strategies that in the future can change this situation. The objective of the study is to determine the survival and the associated factors in patients with mediastinal tumors at Florianópolis and São José. A survival analysis held at HRSJ in São José, SC. 127 patients were included diagnosed with mediastinal tumors from June 1995 to December 2014. Data were extracted by the use of the data collection instrument developed for the study. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS® version 16.0 and have applied Kaplan-Meier method for the survival analysis and the Log-rank test for association. Approved in Ethical Committee in Research of UNISUL and HRSJ. The overall survival in 5 years was 77,5%. The gender proportion was similar, the mean age was 44,31 years. In benign tumors, 61,7% were assymptomatic and in malignant tumors, 63,4% were symptomatic (p=0,03). The survival of germ cells turmors were 30% in 5 years and in the cists were 100% in 5 years.The malignant tumors showed to be more lethal (p=0,02), as germ cells tumors the main histological type. The symptomatic clinical features were more prevalent in malignant tumors.

Tumores del timo. Estudio retrospectivo de 38 casos operados en el Hospital "Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia", entre 1996 y 2013 / Thymic tumors. Retrospective review of 38 surgical cases in "Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia" Hospital between 1996 and 2013

Objetivo: Valorar los resultados obtenidos con 38 pacientes intervenidos por tumores del timo.Método:se estudió a todos los pacientes intervenidos por tumores del timo durante el periodo de 1996 a 2013 en el Hospital "Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia".Resultados:se intervino a 38 pacientes por tumores del timo en los 17 años evaluados, 20 hombres y 18 mujeres con promedio edad de 50 años. En 26 casos se realizó resección, la cual en 19 fue macroscópicamente completa. Se reportó 20 tumores malignos y 18 benignos. De los 20 casos con tumores malignos, a 9 pacientes se les realizó resección, en 6 la resección fue completa y en 3 incompleta, y a 11 solamente biopsia. 16 de los 20 casos con tumores malignos recibieron quimioterapia. De los casos con tumores malignos 15 tenían más de 5 años de establecido el diagnóstico, y de estos 7 se encontraban vivos, lo que corresponde a una sobrevida a 5 años de un 47%. Los timomas representaron un 17% de todos los tumores del mediastino. Los síntomas manifestados por los pacientes se debieron a la compresión causada por el tumor.Conclusiones:el método de detección más útil fue la radiografía de tórax. La vía más utilizada para tomar biopsia fue mediastinotomía. La quimioterapia desempeño un papel importante en la sobrevida, ya que pacientes con resección incompleta, se encontraron vivos hasta 5 años después del diagnóstico. La conducta que mostró ser más efectiva para los timomas malignos fue, reseccióncompleta complementada con quimioterapia.

Aim: To evaluate the results obtained from 38 patients undergoing surgery for tumors of the thymus at the Hospital Calderon Guardia.Method:All patients undergoing surgery for tumors of the thymus during the period 1996-2013 were studied.Results:38 patients underwent surgery for tumors of the thymus in the 17 years evaluated, 20 men and 18 women, with an average age of 50 years. In 26 cases resection was performed, which was macroscopically complete in 19. Of the 38 tumors, 20 were reports as malignant and 18 as benign. Of the 20 cases with malignant tumors, in 9 patients a resection was performed, in 6 resection was complete and in 3 incomplete, and 11 only had a biopsy; 16 of the 20 patients with malignant tumors received chemotherapy. Of the cases with malignant tumors 15 had over 5 years of the diagnosis, and of these 7 were alive, which corresponds to a 5 year survival of 47%. Thymomas accounted for 17% of all mediastinal tumors. The symptoms manifested by patients were due to compression caused by the tumor.Conclusions:The chest radiography was the most useful screening method. The route most used to take biopsy was mediastinotomy. Chemotherapy played an important role in survival as patients with incomplete resection were found alive five years after diagnosis. The treatment shown to be more effective for malignant thymoma was complete resection complemented with chemotherapy.

Utilidad de la mediastinoscopia: resultados de 140 procedimientos / Mediastinoscopy: experience with 140 procedures

Objetivo: determinar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la mediastinoscopia para diagnóstico y estadiaje de enfermedades del tórax. Métodos: se revisó la información general incluida en la base de datos del servicio de Cirugía de Tórax del Hospital Dr. R. A. Calderón Guardia, de 140 pacientes sometidos a mediastinoscopia durante el periodo comprendido entre 1989 y 2013, la cual se complementó con datos específicos obtenidos de los expedientes clínicos...

Clinical and CT manifestations of mediastinal type lung cancer / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To analyze clinical and CT manifestations of mediastinal type lung cancer,in order to improve the under-standing of its CT signs.Methods 12 cases with mediastinal type lung cancer proved by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.Re-sults The mediastinal type lung cancer can be classified as central type (6 cases),peripheral type (4 cases)and hiding type (2 cases).There were 5 cases in the right upper lung,4 cases in the left lung and 3 cases in the lower lobe of right lung.CT showed irregular soft tissue masses adjacent mediastinum with size of 3-10 cm.7 cases showed homogeneous density and 5 cases showed heterogeneous density.The tumor and lung tissue interface was blurred in 8 cases and clear in 4 cases.5 cases had atelectasis.6 cases showed mediastinal lymph nodes enlargment.Conclusion Mediastinal type lung cancer has relatively specific clinical and CT manifestations;it can help to dif-ferential diagnosis with mediastinal tumors to understand these signs.

Timoma epitelial como causa de dolor torácico durante una exacerbación atípica de asma: reporte de un caso / Epithelial thymoma as a cause of thoracic pain during an atypical exacerbation of bronchial asthma: a case report

Introducción: la evaluación de un paciente con exacerbación de asma bronquial incluye la búsqueda de enfermedades que pueden simular, complicar o perpetuar esa situación. El dolor retrosternal es un síntoma atípico en pacientes con exacerbación asmática y entre las causas que lo pueden originar están las masas mediastínicas como el timoma. Un tercio de los pacientes con timomas pueden tener síntomas asociados a enfermedades autoinmunes y síndromes paraneoplásicos; sin embargo, aunque el asma bronquial tiene un componente inmunológico importante en su fisiopatología, la asociación del timoma con el asma está poco documentada. Objetivo: ofrecer una enseñanza clínica a través de la presentación de un caso con asociación inusual de timoma y asma bronquial. Presentación del caso: se presenta el caso de una paciente de 50 años que acudió a servicios de urgencias con exacerbación asmática y dolor torácico retrosternal. En tomografía computarizada de alta resolución se observó una masa en mediastino anterosuperior que tras realizar exéresis quirúrgica y estudios inmunohistoquímicos fue diagnosticada como un timoma epitelial tipo IIB. Conclusiones: la presencia de síntomas inusuales en una paciente con exacerbación asmática condujo al diagnóstico de un timoma epitelial, aun cuando no se ha demostrado la asociación entre estas dos enfermedades.

Background: the evaluation of a patient with bronchial asthma exacerbation includes the search for diseases which can simulate, complicate or perpetuate that situation. The retrosternal pain is an atypical symptom in patients with asthmatic exacerbation and among the causes that can originate this symptom are mediastinal masses like thymoma. A third part of patients with thymomas might have symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases and paraneoplastic syndromes; however, although asthma has an important immunologic component in its pathophysiology, association of thymoma with asthma is poorly documented. Objective: to offer a clinical lesson through a presentation of a case with unusual association of thymoma and asthma. Case presentation: a 50 year-old female patient with asthmatic exacerbation and retrosternal thoracic pain came to emergency services. A mass in anterosuperior mediastinum was observed in computed tomographic high-resolution scan and after performing surgical exeresis and immune histochemistry studies an epithelial timoma type IIB was diagnosed. Conclusions: the presence of unusual symptoms in a patient with asthma exacerbation led to an epithelial thymoma, even when there has not been shown association between these two diseases.

Características clínicas y patológicas de los tumores de mediastino en un hospital universitario / Clinical and pathological characteristics of tumors of the mediastinum in a university hospital

Las neoplasias mediastinales son tumores poco comunes que pueden aparecer a cualquier edad, pero son más comunes entre la tercera y la quinta década de la vida. Aproximadamente 40% de las masas son asintomáticas y se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina. El objetivo de este trabajo es establecer la frecuencia y características de este tipo de tumores en un hospital universitario general. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, descriptivo de corte transversal. Fueron incluidos todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal primario, con confirmación anatomopatológica, durante el periodo 2008-2012. RESULTADOS: De los 795 pacientes adultos registrados en el Departamento de Oncología, 27 (3,4%) padecían patologías tumorales mediastinales. 19 (70%) pertenecían al sexo masculino y la edad promedio fue 41 años. La ubicación topográfica más frecuente corresponde en un 63% (17 casos) al mediastino anterior. Los tipos histológicos más frecuentes fueron: el de origen germinal con 6 casos (22%) y los linfomas (Hodgkin y no Hodgkin) se presentaron en 4 casos cada uno (24% en total). CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia de tumores mediastinales fue de 3,4%. En su mayoría aparecen en pacientes del sexo masculino (70%), y la edad promedio de aparición es de 41 años. La ubicación topográfica más frecuente es el mediastino anterior (63%). El tipo histológico más frecuente son los linfomas y el tumor de origen germinal.

Mediastinal neoplasms are rare tumors that can occur at any age but are most common between the third and fifth decade of life. Approximately 40% of the masses are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on a routine chest radiograph. The aim of this work is to determine the frequency and characteristics of this type of tumors in a general university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective, cross- sectional descriptive. We included all patients diagnosed with primary mediastinal tumor with pathologic confirmation, during the period 2008-2012. RESULTS: Of the 795 adult patients registered with the Department of Oncology, 27 (3.4%) had mediastinal tumor pathologies. 19 (70%) were male and the average age was 41 years. The most common topographic location corresponds to 63% (17 cases) the anterior mediastinum. The most common histological types were: the germinal source with 6 cases (22%) and lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) occurred in 4 cases each (24% total). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of mediastinal tumors was 3.4%. They mostly appear in male patients (70%), and the average age of onset is 41 years. The most common topographic location is the anterior mediastinum (63%). The most common histological type are lymphomas and germ cell tumor origin.

A histomorphological study of resected mediastinal tumors.

Background: The numerous structures within the mediastinum, make it prone for development of various congenital cysts, benign & malignant neoplasms. Cystic lesions and small tumors are asymptomatic in half of the patients and symptoms develop as a result of compression or invasion. These tumors are thus discovered at very late stages, which proves fatal, or, are diagnosed incidently. Methods: We analysed all resected mediastinal tumor specimens received in Department of Pathology & from few other private laboratories in Rural and Urban areas, in & around Bareilly region of North India. In 10 years duration, a total number of 38 cases were examined. Information was collected from detailed gross & microscopic examination and correlated with that of previous studies. Results: Mediastinal tumors occur more in males, with higher frequency of malignant lesions than benign. Predominant tumors are thymomas occurring in middle age group(20-29yrs), followed closely by neurogenic tumors. Conclusion: This study stresses upon the importance of early screening of all patients with suspicion, with help of radiological modalities along with FNAC & mediastinoscopy. Possible causes of increasing incidence of thymomas in children younger than 16yrs age should be further evaluated.

Propuesta de un sistema de estadiaje de tumores de mediastino / Staging system for mediastinals tumors: a proposal

El mediastino es un compartimento que aloja tumores de variado origen histológico, dada la diversidad de órganos y estructuras que lo ocupan o lo transitan. Debido a la gran capacidad de la cavidad torácica, los pacientes se presentan frecuentemente con tumores de gran tamaño, a veces ya invadiendo, órganos vitales, complicando el estado clínico, el eventual manejo anestésico y los procedimientos quirúrgicos necesarios. Actualmente no existe un método común para categorizar pacientes con tumores mediastinales. Lo que hoy se hace es estudiar las imágenes y describir la masa, indicando sus dimenciones y relaciones, y de ahí se deduce la gravedad o no de la situación. De existir un sistema, los médicos tratantes podrían comunicarse, describir y entender bien cada lesión, el grado de respuesta al tratamiento y el pronóstico de cada paciente. Siguiendo el TNM, se propone un método de estadiaje para pacientes con tumores mediastinales, utilizando algunas modificaciones importantes, utilizando las letras: T /I/ N/ M. La T no representa las medidas lineales de la masa como en ese sistema, sino que más bien expresa la relación del volumen del tumor con el de la cavidad torácica del mismo individuo, T igual R: vol tum / vol tórax. Estos datos se obtienen directamente del tomógrafo, o bien, calcularse según el software de cada equipo de tomografía. usualmente el estudio tomográfico de un tumor mediastinal comprende una gran cantidad de cortes realizados a milímetros de distancia entre sí. Primero se determina el rango del coeficiente de atenuación en unidades Hounsfield del tumor, y en cada corte se dibuja el perímetro de éste. Se pide a la computadora que sume todos los volúmenes con el rango de unidades que cubran el tumor, y se obtiene así el volumen de la masa...

The mediastinum is an anatomic compartment that frequently lodges tumors of different histology, given thediversity of organs and structures that either occupy it or go through it, in one or another direction. Since the chest cavity is so large, is not uncommon to see patients presenting with pretty big tumors, sometimes invading vital organs,complicating their clinical status, anesthetic management and needed surgical procedures. Currently a commonstaging system applicable to patients with mediastinal tumors does not exist; the size of the mass and its relationshipsto neighboring organs is described from the imaging studies. If a TNM like system existed for mediastinal tumors, treating physicians could communicate and asses a particular lesion better, follow its response to treatment and could best define a prognosis for the patients. Based on the TNM system wepropose herein an staging system for mediastinal tumors, utilizing the letters: T/I/N/M. The letter T expresses therelationship of volume of tumor, with the volume of the continent chest cavity; these volumes may be easily obtained from the CT scanner depending on its software. Otherwise the perimeter of the mass is drawn in the axial cuts, which are several millimeters thick and its density range is read inHounsfield units. The computer determines the total volume of tissue slices comprised between the established density limits, and that constitutes the tumor volume in cubiccentimeters. The volume of the chest cavity is obtained from the volume of the lungs, which is given by the amount of air filling them. The sum of it plus the tumor volume will give the whole chest cavity volume. Dividing tumor volume bythe total chest volume, gives the relationship or T. Since we all have heart, trachea and great vessels their volume is not computed...

Schwannomas medaastinales: comunicación de casos y revisión de la literatura

Introducción: Los tumores del mediastino comprenden un grupo heterogéneo de neoplasias raras con comportamiento biológico muy variable. En México, las estadísticas reportan que corresponde al 0.88% de todas las neoplasias. En general, del 30 al 76% de todos estos tumores son malignos. De éstos el 53% corresponden a tumores neurógenos. Objetivo del estudio: Conocer la frecuencia del Schwannoma mediastinal, en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), así como el manejo de esta patología. Material y métodos: Se revisaron expedientes del archivo clínico de 1980 a 2003 con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal. Se registraron edad, sexo, presentación clínica, presentación radiológica, métodos diagnósticos, tratamientos previos, histología, tratamiento y resultados. Resultados: 109 pacientes con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal fueron tratados en el INCan entre 1980 al 2003; 9 casos correspondían a tumores de origen neuroepitelial; 4 pacientes fueron llevados a cirugía. Se realizaron 3 resecciones y una tumorectomía. La histología y el tamaño son factores que influyen en el resultado. La resección completa es curativa y la adyuvancia con radioterapia posoperatoria puede ser útil.

Introduction: Mediastinal tumors include an heterogenous group of neoplasms with variable biological behavior. In Mexico they represent 0.88% of all neoplasms. Thirty to 76% of these tumors are malignant; of these, 53% are neurogenic. Objectives: To study the frequency of mediastinal Schwannomas at our institute. Material and methods: A chart review of mediastinal tumors from 1980 to 2003 was done. Age, sex, clinical presentation, radiological features, previous diagnoses and treatments, histology, treatment and results were recorded. Results: 109 patients with mediastinal tumors were treated in the National Institute of Cancer from 1980 to 2003; 9 cases were tumors of neuroepithelial origin, 4 patients were taken to surgery. Histology and size were factors that influenced the result. Complete resection is the standard of care; adjuvant radiotherapy is useful.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Mediastinal Tumors and Cysts: Forty-two years report in a University Hospital / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to mediastinal tumors and cysts have changed over the past three decades. This report summarizes our forty-two years of experience with these tumors. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 479 patients with primary mediastinal tumors and cysts that were diagnosed and managed over the past 17-year period (1985~2002) and compared them to the report of the previous 25-year result (1960~1985) in Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital in Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: During the 17 years, there were 479 cases of pathologically proven mediastinal tumors and cysts. Thymoma (38.2%) was the most common mediastinal tumor and has increased noticeably during recent years. The gender ratio showed a male predominance (1.3:1) and the age distributions were even over all the age groups. The most common sites of the tumor and the proportion(28.6%) of malignant tumors were the same as that previously reported. A diagnosis of a tumor in asymptomatic patients was possible in 174 cases (36.3%), which was higher that reported previously. The diagnostic yield of a fine needle aspiration biopsy was 68.6% in the total tumors and 80.9% in the malignant tumors. A surgical resection was the most frequently chosen treatment modality and was performed in 405 cases (84.6%). The complete resection rate was 91.1%, which is higher than the previous result of 78.8%. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the prevalence of mediastinal tumors and cysts, particularly thymoma, increased. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was a valuable preoperative differential diagnostic method for malignant tumors. The surgical and complete resection rate increased remarkably possibly due to the better applicable chest CT scans, the more frequent health check-up provided by the regular health promotion program for all people as a health insurance policy, and the improved diagnostic techniques in the pathologic, radiological, and clinical fields.