Ependymoma Key Facts Terminology Neural neoplasm of possible intermediate malignant potential when in mediastinum Etiology/Pathogenesis Probably derived from paravertebral ependymal rests Clinical Issues Incidence Ependymomas arising in mediastinum are rare…
Mediastinal Seminoma Key Facts Terminology Thymic seminoma Etiology/Pathogenesis Probably misplaced germ cells in anterior mediastinum Clinical Issues Incidence May account for approximately 37% of all germ cell tumors Majority of…
Mediastinal Teratoma Key Facts Etiology/Pathogenesis Some authors have proposed the possibility of ectopically misplaced germ cells Clinical Issues Incidence Most common germ cell tumors in anterior mediastinum Approximately 45% of…
Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma Key Facts Clinical Issues Incidence Extremely rare tumor in mediastinal compartment Appears to be more common in young adults in 3rd decade of life More common…
Leiomyosarcoma Key Facts Clinical Issues Incidence More common in adults Range: 25-70 years of age Anatomic site Tumor may appear in anterior or posterior mediastinum Treatment Complete surgical resection of…
Ectopic Parathyroid Tumor Key Facts Clinical Issues Incidence Among the rarest neuroendocrine tumors in mediastinum Usually in adults Symptoms Chest pain Cough Dyspnea Hyperparathyroidism Kidney stones Top Differential Diagnoses Well-differentiated…
Benign Mediastinal Foregut Cyst Key Facts Terminology Benign cystic tumors that are classified depending on epithelial lining Etiology/Pathogenesis So-called foregut cysts believed to arise due to abnormality during early gestational…
Neurofibroma Key Facts Terminology Neurofibroma (NF) Etiology/Pathogenesis Proliferation of perineural fibroblasts, Schwann cells, and neurites Clinical Issues One of most common neural tumors Usually adults in 3rd or 4th decade…
Rhabdomyosarcoma Key Facts Clinical Issues Anterior mediastinum Cough Chest pain Dyspnea Pleural effusion Highly aggressive tumors with short survival Microscopic Pathology Sheets of “small round blue cells” with hyperchromatic nuclei…
Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Key Facts Terminology Peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST) Synonyms: Malignant schwannoma, neurofibrosarcoma, neurogenic sarcoma Clinical Issues These tumors are more common in posterior mediastinum but can…
