[Profile of surgical tumors of the mediatinum. Apropos of a series of 742 operated patients].

The authors seek to draw statistical conclusions on the basis of 742 surgically treated mediastinal tumours. Tumours of the thymus were the most common (20%). They were followed by tumours of the thyroid, neurogenic tumours, haematosarcomas and mediastinal cysts - all with an occurrence rate of around 12 to 15%. From a histological standpoint, 34.5% of the tumours were malignant or "potentially malignant". After a topographical study of these tumours, the authors discuss the possibilities of surgical treatment, the latter being great even in the case of malignant lesions.