- Symptoms of mediastinal cancer
- Treatment for mediastinal cancer
- Causes of mediastinal cancer
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Mediastinal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor in the space between the lungs, as shown in the figure, which includes the trachea, thymus, heart, esophagus and part of the lymphatic and nervous system, causing symptoms such as difficulty in swallow or breathe.
Generally, mediastinal cancer is more frequent in patients aged between 30 and 50 years, but it can also appear in children, in which case it is usually benign and its treatment is easy.
Mediastinal cancer is curable when it is detected early, and its treatment must be done by an oncologist, depending on its cause.
Symptoms of mediastinal cancer
Symptoms of mediastinal cancer include:
- Dry cough, which can evolve to productive; Difficulty swallowing or breathing; Excessive tiredness; Fever higher than 38ยบ; Weight loss.
Symptoms of mediastinal cancer vary according to the affected region and, in some cases, do not cause any changes in the body.
Individuals with symptoms of mediastinal cancer should undergo diagnostic tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, to diagnose the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
Treatment for mediastinal cancer
Treatment for mediastinal cancer must be done by an oncologist and can usually be done at the hospital using chemotherapy or radiation therapy, until the tumor disappears.
In some cases, surgery can also be used to remove cysts, the affected organ or perform transplants.
Causes of mediastinal cancer
The causes of mediastinal cancer can be:
- Cancer metastases; Thymus tumor; Goiter; Neurogenic tumors; Cysts in the heart.
The causes of mediastinal cancer depend on the affected region, but in most cases, they are related to lung or breast cancer metastases.
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