Thoracic Key

Mixed Germ Cell Tumors Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Background Mixed germ cell tumors (GCT) are composed of more than one type of GCT element and are…

Choriocarcinoma Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Fabio R. Tavora, M.D., Ph.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Terminology Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant neoplasm composed of syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, and variably intermediate trophoblast cells….

Embryonal Carcinoma Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Anja C. Roden, M.D. Background Mediastinal embryonal carcinoma is a germ cell tumor composed of large primitive cells of epithelial appearance with abundant clear…

Yolk Sac Tumor (Endodermal Sinus Tumor) Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Anja C. Roden, M.D. Terminology Mediastinal yolk sac tumor (YST) is a neoplasm characterized by numerous patterns that recapitulate the…

Mediastinal Teratoma Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Terminology Mediastinal teratoma is a germ cell tumor that is composed of mature and/or immature somatic tissues derived from two…

Seminoma Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Anja C. Roden, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Incidence and Clinical Mediastinal seminoma may be pure, or associated with mixed germ cell tumors. The reported…

Mediastinitis Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Terminology Mediastinitis is defined as acute or chronic inflammation of the mediastinal structures.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Two broad categories of acute mediastinitis are acute…

Ectopic Thymus, Parathyroid, and Thyroid Borislav A. Alexiev, M.D. Fabio R. Tavora, M.D., Ph.D. Ectopic Thymus Most cases (80% to 90%) of ectopic thymus present as an asymptomatic mass in…