Hello,
everyone. I am Dr. Li Huifeng from the Department of Internal Medicine of the Third People’s Hospital of Jiujiang City. Today, I will give you a popular science about mediastinal malignant tumors. The mediastinum is located in the middle of the thoracic cavity and is an area containing a variety of important organs and tissues. Malignant tumors of the mediastinum are not as well known as some common cancers, but they can cause serious health problems for patients. There are many types of mediastinal malignant tumors. Among them, thymic cancer is one of the more dangerous, which originates from thymus tissue. The thymus is an important component of the human immune system. When the thymus cells become malignant, the tumor may grow rapidly and invade surrounding structures. The mediastinum can also be involved in lymphoma, which is caused by abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes. This tumor cell is very aggressive and can spread within the mediastinum along the lymphatic system. In addition, neurogenic malignant tumors, mostly originating from nerve tissue in the mediastinum, can affect nerve function and may compress surrounding organs. The causes of morbidity of these tumors are complex. Genetic factors may make some people more susceptible, and people with a family history of related tumors have an increased risk of morbidity. Environmental factors, such as long-term exposure to radioactive substances and some chemical poisons, may lead to gene mutation and malignant transformation of mediastinal cells. In addition, the disorder of human autoimmune system may also be related to the occurrence of mediastinal malignant tumors, such as the failure of immune surveillance function and the failure to remove malignant cells in time. The symptoms of mediastinal malignancy may not be obvious in the early stage. As the tumor grows, the patient may have chest pain because the tumor invades or compresses the nerves, pleura and other structures in the mediastinum. Chest distress and shortness of breath are also common, and tumors may compress the trachea and bronchi, blocking gas from entering and leaving the lungs. If the tumor invades the esophagus, it will cause dysphagia and affect the patient’s eating. When the tumor compresses the superior vena cava, it can also lead to superior vena cava syndrome, which is characterized by swelling of the head, face and upper limbs. Some patients may also have hoarseness, which is the result of tumor invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The diagnosis of mediastinal malignancies requires a combination of methods. Imaging studies are critical, and chest X-rays can reveal initial signs such as widening of the mediastinum. CT scan can more clearly show the size, location of the tumor and the relationship with the surrounding tissues, which is of great significance for judging the resectability of the tumor. MRI has unique advantages in showing the invasion of soft tissues such as nerves and blood vessels. For suspected lymphoma, pathological examination is also needed, such as mediastinoscopy or puncture to obtain tissue specimens to determine the type of tumor under the microscope. There are various methods for the treatment of mediastinal malignant tumors. Surgery is one of the main treatment methods. If the tumor has not widely invaded the surrounding tissues, radical surgical resection of the tumor may be cured. However, the mediastinal structure is complex and the operation is difficult, which requires an experienced medical team. Radiotherapy can be used to control tumors locally and reduce the number of tumor cells in patients who are inoperable or at risk of residual and recurrence after surgery. Chemotherapy targets some chemotherapy-sensitive tumor types, such as lymphoma, by killing tumor cells with drugs. In addition, targeted therapy and immunotherapy in recent years have also brought new hope to some patients with mediastinal malignant tumors. For mediastinal malignant tumors, early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are the key. We should pay attention to the abnormal symptoms of the body and have regular physical examinations, especially for people with high-risk factors, so as to better cope with this serious disease.
