ABSTRACT
Approxim ately two thirds o f all mediastinal tum ors are benign and the rest are m alignant. M ediastinal tum ors are m ost com m on in young and m iddle-aged adults and occu r with less frequency in the older population. However, a higher incidence o f m alignancy is noted in older patients with prim ary lesions o f the mediastinum . T h e m ajority o f tum ors are discovered by radiography, m ost com m only a plain chest x-ray. M ost lesions are benign and have no sym ptom s. M alignant lesions often produce sym ptom s such as substernal pain or cough. A clinician can determ ine the location and type o f tu m or by an accurate history and physical exam ination, chest x-ray, C T scan o f the chest, and simple tum or m arker studies. O n ce identified, proper treatm ent can be instituted.
