Know More About Lung & Mediastinal Tumors!

There are three sections of Mediastinum: the anterior (front), the middle, and the posterior (back or rear). Different kinds of tumors can develop in these three different sections. Anterior Mediastinal Tumor includes Thyroid Mass Mediastinal (growth of benign as a goiter), Germ Cell Tumors or Neoplasms Cysts developed in the thymus or Thymoma, and Thymic Cysts and Lymphoma with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin ailment. The Middle Mediastinal Tumor includes tracheal tumor, Lymphadenopathy Mediastinal (ailment in the lymph nodes), an ailment in the respiratory system or Bronchogenic cysts, and Pericardial cysts (growth in the heart lining). Lastly, the Posterior Mediastinal Tumors includes sacs with fluid that grows in the exterior of the natural tissue or Neuroenteric cyst Mediastinal, Lymphadenopathy Mediastinal (ailment in the lymph nodes), Extramedullary hematopoiesis (rare mass developed from bone marrow), and Neurogenic neoplasm Mediastinal tumors (cells developing in the exterior of the natural area of the cell and not the member of the tissue surrounded).

Mediastinal Tumor is difficult to diagnose as it usually does not show any symptom and even if it does, there are many other medical issues that share those symptoms. This tumor is diagnosed unintentionally in the X-Ray done for some other purpose. X-Ray is not really dependable for its diagnosis. CT scan with IV contrast is the most prized imaging method. The thoracic CT scan helps in showing the natural variant and benign tumor. This scan is used to know if there is any cyst filled with fat and fluid. The scan is followed by an MRI which is used to know if the organization is cystic. MRI helps in knowing if the mass is invading other parts or is compressing. A dependable diagnosis can only be done by Needle Biopsy. There are two kinds of needle biopsy depending upon the type and location of the tumor: Fine-Needle Biopsy and Cutting-Needle Biopsy.

Most of the cases of Mediastinal Tumors do not show significant symptoms. Most often, the diagnosis of this tumor is done unintentionally through the X-Ray initially done for some other cause. Symptoms, that are often due to the compression of spinal cord or heart, might include fever, chest pain, chills, noisy respiration (stridor), cough, coughing of blood, rapid weight loss, shortness of breath, night sweats, wheezing, and Lymphadenopathy (tender or swollen lymph nodes).

The treatment of the Mediastinal tumors depends upon the location, severity, type, and health of the patient. It can be treated with radiation, surgery or chemotherapy or a combination of all in severe cases.