[Case of yolk sac tumor of the anterior mediastinum with superior vena cava syndrome].

The patient was a 21-year-old man with SVC syndrome due to a large anterior mediastinal mass. Following radiotherapy which improved his condition, thoracotomy was performed, however, total resection failed. Despite postoperative re-irradiation, his condition worsened rapidly and he died five months after the onset of his symptoms. The neoplasm was composed of a yolk sac tumor producing alpha-fetoprotein. Yolk sac tumors of the mediastinum are rare and lethal. Recent reports indicate that cis-platinum may be highly effective in germ cell tumors. Therefore, radiotherapy combined with cis-platinum may be improved the survival of patients with yolk sac tumor.