[Extragonadal germ-cell tumors located in the mediastinum].

INTRODUCTION: The extragonadal germ-cell tumors (EGGCT) represent 5% of all germ-cell tumors at presentation. Histologically, they are identical to testis germ cell tumors. They may arise in such sites as the mediastinum, retroperitoneal area, sacrococcygeal area, or pineal area without a primary in the testis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 10 patients with mediastinal EGGCT were reviewed between 1973 and 1996. All patients were males and his mean age was 26.7 years old (21-24). Follow-up was 19 months (3-72). RESULTS: The first symptoms are diverse. The histology results nonseminomatous tumor at 9 patients and seminomatous tumor at the restant. All of the scrotal examination was normal and only five patients presented increased tumoral markers (alpha-FP in 4 and beta-HCG in 1). Previous at 1990 didn't exist a standard treatment, resulting the four patients treated in this period exitus. After 1990 the treatment was cisplatin-based chemotherapy: BEP (bleomicyn, etoposide-VP-16- and cisplatin-CDDP) then we obtained the best results, a patient died after 6 months but the restants five are alive and without evidence of disease during a follow-up between 3 and 72 months.