Mediastinal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor in the mediastinum, which is the space between the lungs. This means that this type of cancer can end up affecting the trachea, the thymus, the heart, the esophagus and part of the lymphatic system, causing symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Generally, this type of cancer is more frequent between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can also occur in children, being that in these cases it is usually benign and its treatment is easy.
Mediastinal cancer is curable when it is detected early, and its treatment must be guided by an oncologist, as it may depend on its cause.
Location of mediastinal cancer
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of mediastinal cancer include:
- Dry cough, which can evolve to productive;
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Fever higher than 38º;
- Weight loss.
Symptoms of mediastinal cancer vary according to the affected region and, in some cases, may not even cause any type of signal, being only identified during routine examinations.
How to confirm the diagnosis
If symptoms appear that indicate suspicion of mediastinal cancer, it is important to do some tests, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, to conform the diagnosis, identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
Possible causes
The causes of mediastinal cancer can be:
- Metastases from another cancer;
- Tumor in the thymus;
- 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.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for mediastinal cancer should be guided by an oncologist and can usually be done at the hospital with the use of 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.
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