[Indications for surgery of mediastinal tumors]

The indication for operation of mediastinal tumors is based on the variability of this disease. Malignant tumors should be operated as far as possible. Tumors of the thymus should be operated, since there is a considerable risk of malignancy. Primarily benign tumors also should be operated, because growth of the tumor could cause local functional problems and malignant degeneration cannot be excluded. Mediastinal tumors in systemic diseases (e.g. lymphoma) should only be operated in order to enable histological diagnosis or to reduce the size of the tumor.