title: Primary anterior mediastinal tumours: "an investigational algorithm".
abstract: A review of 33 months' experience with primary anterior mediastinal masses in 31 patients disclosed that in 9 (29%) the tumour was benign. Nineteen (86%) of the 22 malignant tumours and only 2 of the 9 benign tumours were symptomatic. Diagnosis was established by histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen or resected tissue and serum radioimmunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein or human chorionic gonadotropin, beta-subunit. The authors present an investigational algorithm, using modern procedures, to facilitate the diagnosis of this relatively uncommon and challenging condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, BC.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fradet
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nelems
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged