Giant tumors of the posterior mediastinum: a narrative review of surgical treatment.

Background and Objective

The posterior mediastinum is a potential space along the paravertebral sulci or between the posterior aspect of the pericardium and the vertebrae. This compartment is classically the most frequent location site of neurogenic tumors. Whereas neurofibroma and schwannoma are neurogenic tumors that commonly arise from peripheral nerves, sympathetic nerves are the origin of ganglioneuroma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and neuroectodermal cells closely associated with autonomic nerves are the origin of paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas. Additionally, tumors from the esophagus, tumors of mesenchymal origin, lymphoma, ectopic goiter, and diseases with lymph node hyperplasia may also settle on this compartment. The objectives are to identify term "giant posterior mediastinal tumor" and the etiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods, pathological types, surgical methods applied, and technical details of these methods for the treatment of these tumors.

Methods

In this review, the term "giant tumor" was used to define tumors larger than 10 cm settled in the posterior mediastinum. PubMed database was searched with keywords "posterior mediastinum, giant mass" or "posterior mediastinum, tumor, giant" limited to English language and full-text available studies published between years 1984-2021.

Key Content and Findings

As a result of the literature review with the relevant terms, 23 case reports were found in accordance with the inclusion criteria. We detected the most common giant posterior mediastinum tumors were neurogenic origin (schwannoma, ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, triton tumor) in that review. The most common surgical approach was posterolateral thoracotomy. Treatment response to surgical total excision was good in most of cases.

Conclusions

The definitive diagnosis and treatment of giant posterior mediastinal tumors is made by surgical excision. Diagnostic procedures and subsequent surgical planning may vary depending on the origin and localization. Adjuvant treatment and follow-up should be conducted on the histopathological features.

Informations de copyright

2022 Mediastinum. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://med.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/med-21-39/coif). The series “Management of Giant Mediastinal Tumors” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.