What is the Fibroma of Mediastinum?
A fibroma is a type of tumour (abnormal growth of tissues) originating from muscle cells or neuronal cells, affecting the posterior and anterior regions of the mediastinum. These tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Mediastinal tumours can develop in the anterior (front), or posterior (back) parts of the mediastinum. The age of the patient generally determines the origination of the tumour. The benign fibroma of the mediastinum usually develops behind the mediastinum in children. Despite being benign, fibromas in the mediastinum can cause serious complications by exerting pressure on vital organs and invading local structures and blood vessels.
Adults are more likely to develop malignant tumours in the front of the mediastinum. Mediastinal malignancies are generally quite uncommon.
What is Mediastinum?
The mediastinum is the area in the middle of the chest, a space that contains the heart, thymus gland, portions of the esophagus trachea, and other structures.
Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause however, certain hereditary and genetic mutations are considered responsible for the development of benign fibroma of the mediastinum.
Signs and symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms:
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pain in the chest
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis:
- Imaging techniques like Chest X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, and PET scan to see the location, size, and extent of the tumour.
- Tumour biopsy ( to remove a small sample of tissue for histopathological examination)
- Sputum cytology
- USG (ultrasound) guided fine needle aspiration cytology
Treatment
Surgical resection of the tumour is the main treatment; other treatment options are chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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