[Mediastinal tumors in children].

Mediastinal tumours are not very common among various tumours in children. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical features, diagnostic approaches and surgical management in 125 patients treated in our Department for 30 years. There were 39 lesions in the anterior, 21 in the medial and 49 in the posterior mediastinum. Solid tumours were diagnosed in 78% of patients. The range of age was between 4 days and 18 years of life. Patients below 5 years of life accounted for 68%. The most common were neurogenic tumours--35%, less frequently tumours of lymphatic origin were seen. Complete excision was possible in 66% of patients, in 26% open biopsy examinations were performed. Enlarged thymus was under control in our out-patient clinic. Combined treatment (radio-, chemotherapy and surgical treatment) was introduced to deal with neurogenic tumours in children. Complete remission lasting 3 years was achieved in 71% of patients in this group. Comparing two periods of time (1970-85 v 1986-2000) no significant differences were found in the prevalence of any kind of mediastinal tumours.