Primary malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors: a study of three cases

Three patients with primary malignant mediastinal germ cell tumors are presented and the literature is briefly reviewed. A great disparity exists in the literature regarding the classification and differential diagnosis of these tumors. Resection and irradiation of seminomas give relatively satisfactory results. The prognosis of malignant teratomas, embryonal cell carcinomas and choriocarcinomas is poor, regardless of the mode of treatment.