Mediastinal tumours. A report of 129 cases.

Primary mediastinal tumour or cyst was surgically treated in 129 patients (including 19 younger than 12 years) during a 16-year period. All histologic specimens and smears from fine-needle aspiration biopsy were reviewed. Intrathoracic goitre, neurogenic lesions and thymomas comprised 62% of all the tumours. Fifty lesions (39%) were found at routine radiographic examination and were asymptomatic. Eight of these 50 lesions were malignant. Chest pain, fatigue, weight loss and fever were significantly more common in malignant than in benign disease. Despite extensive investigations, the diagnosis was not established preoperatively in 32% of the cases. Chest radiography, CT-scanning and fine-needle aspiration biopsy usually provide satisfactory diagnostic information, thereby substantially reducing the need for other preoperative procedures. Early operative intervention is mandatory in these cases.