Occurrence of malignant non-germ cell components in primary mediastinal germ cell tumours.
METHODS
Thirty-five patients with primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCT) underwent primary thoracotomy in a 30-year period (1965-1994). Of the 35 patients, 12 had benign teratomas, five pure seminomas and 18 non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.


RESULTS
Out of 18 non-seminomatous germ cell tumours, 14 comprised more than one malignant component. In two cases malignant teratomas had an additional malignant non-germ cell component: one a mixed sarcomatous component and the other a neuroendocrinal component. There were different methods of treatment between 1965 and 1994. All but one of patients with seminomas survived for 5 years. Among 18 patients with malignant PMGCT, all but two died within 5 years (mean survival rate was 15 months).


CONCLUSIONS
When planning treatment of patients with malignant PMGCT we have to take into account the fact that malignant non-germ-cell components may occur. In this circumstances, surgical resection after initial chemotherapy is recommended.
Kołodziejski
L
L
Centre of Oncology, Cracow, Poland.
Duda
K
K
Niezabitowski
A
A
Dyczek
S
S
Staniec
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018237:Germinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome