Germinoma of the Mediastinum1

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Abstract
Three cases of seminomatous tumor of the mediastinum are reported. All of the patients were young men, and the tumors were proved to have developed in the thymus. A critical review of the classification of thymic neoplasms is presented and an appeal made for a more lucid classification of thymic tumors. To avoid confusion and for a better understanding of these tumors, the writers have made the following comments and suggestions: A given set of criteria should be adopted in making a diagnosis of thymoma; seminomatous tumors developing in the anterior mediastinum should be recognized as thymic neoplasms; and Friedman''s germ cell theory of mediastinal teratoma is, in the opinion of the writers, not unequivocally acceptable. A new classification of thymic neoplasms based on the above discussion was suggested.