Germ-cell tumors of the mediastinum

Mediastinal germ-cell tumors (GCTs) usually occur within the anterior mediastinum, accounting for about 15% of all mediastinal cysts and tumors. They are associated with the thymus, presumably arising from extragonadal germ cells or thymic cells with germ-cell potential. Mediastinal seminoma develops primarily in young males with rare cases reported in females; likewise, embryonal carcinoma, endodermal sinus tumor or yolk-sac tumor, choriocarcinoma, and malignant mixed or combined GCTs also overwhelmingly affect males. Mature cystic teratoma affects males and females equally. The prognosis for mediastinal mature cystic teratoma and seminoma is very good. Nonseminomatous malignant GCTs of the mediastinum often present with advanced disease and do not respond as well to chemotherapy as their gonadal counterparts. Nonetheless, it is important to separate mediastinal GCTs from other undifferentiated malignant tumors, especially thymic carcinoma, which has a poor prognosis. Clearly, some patients with mediastinal GCTs respond very well to modern therapies.