Teratoma of the Mediastinum Overview
Learn About Teratoma of the Mediastinum
A teratoma is a type of tumor that contains one or more of the three layers of cells found in a developing baby (embryo). These cells are called germ cells. A teratoma is one type of germ cell tumor that can be benign or cancerous.
The mediastinum is located inside the front of the chest in the area that separates the lungs. The heart, large blood vessels, windpipe, thymus gland, lymph nodes and esophagus are found there.
Dermoid cyst - malignant; Nonseminomatous germ cell tumor - teratoma; Immature teratoma; GCTs - teratoma; Teratoma - extragonadal
Malignant mediastinal teratoma occurs most often in young men in their 20s or 30s. Most malignant teratomas can spread throughout the body, and have spread by the time of diagnosis.
Symptoms may include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Limited ability to tolerate exercise
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Shortness of breath
Surgical removal is the mainstay of treatment.
Chemotherapy is used to treat the immature teratoma. A combination of medicines (usually cisplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide) is commonly used.
After chemotherapy is complete, CT scans are done again to see if any of the tumor remains. Surgery may be recommended if there is a risk that the cancer will grow back in that area or if any cancer has been left behind.
Nkechi Onwuzurike is a Pediatric Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Pediatrics provider in Flint, Michigan. Dr. Onwuzurike and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Teratoma of the Mediastinum. Her top areas of expertise are Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Leukemia, and Osteosarcoma. Dr. Onwuzurike is currently accepting new patients.
Mclaren Flint
Vatsala Katragadda is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Flint, Michigan. Dr. Katragadda and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Teratoma of the Mediastinum. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Angiosarcoma, and Lymphofollicular Hyperplasia. Dr. Katragadda is currently accepting new patients.
Henry Ford Health System
Jeffrey Weingarten is an Urologist in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Dr. Weingarten has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Teratoma of the Mediastinum. His top areas of expertise are Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Urinary Tract Infection in Children, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Balanitis, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Weingarten is currently accepting new patients.
There are many support groups available for people with cancer.
The outlook depends on:
- The size and location of the tumor
- The person's age
- Whether the cancer has spread to other organs
The cancer can spread throughout the body and there may be complications of surgery or related to chemotherapy.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of malignant teratoma.
Summary: This study gathers health information for the Project: Every Child for younger patients with cancer. Gathering health information over time from younger patients with cancer may help doctors find better methods of treatment and on-going care.
Summary: This phase III trial studies how well active surveillance help doctors to monitor subjects with low risk germ cell tumors for recurrence after their tumor is removed. When the germ cell tumor has spread outside of the organ in which it developed, it is considered metastatic. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as bleomycin, carboplatin, etoposide, and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the gro...
Published Date: July 29, 2024
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Triplette M, Varghese TK, Cheng G-S. Mediastinal tumors and cysts. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 115.
Wald O, Izhar U, Sugarbaker DJ. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 58.