[Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum]

This is a report on 5 cases of mediastinal germ cell tumours. Of three mature teratomas seen in a 48-year old male and a 21-year old and 19-year old female, one was asymptomatic, another one associated with streptococcal pneumonia and the third associated with progressive cough irritation. In addition, a seminoma was seen in a male of 58 years of age and a yolk sac tumour (mesonephroma type 2) in a male of 23 years. Whereas in mature teratomas surgical resection can be considered sufficient, resection combined with chemotherapy should be performed in patients suffering from malignant germ cell tumours, and in addition also radiotherapy in case of seminoma. This approach may result in a significant improvement of the prognosis in malignant mediastinal germ cell tumours.