Primary malignant tumours of the mediastinum and their management.

Primary malignant tumours of the mediastinum are difficult clinical problems in thoracic surgery from both diagnostic and therapeutic points of view. Three cases of malignant seminoma of the mediastinum have been documented, thus bringing the total number of cases reported in the literature to 78. A case of metastasis to the subcutaneous tissue in malignant thymoma has been documented. Because of the multiple-cell types of these tumours and their ill-defined extent due to involvement of adjacent structures, surgery is often difficult. Radiotherapy along with chemotherapy has a definit place in their management, either as a primary treatment in inoperable cases or as a supplement to surgery if the condition is operable.