YOLK-SAC TUMOR OF THE ANTERIOR MEDIASTINUM - THE ROLE OF PALLIATIVE SURGERY

Primary endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor) of the mediastinum is a very rare extragonadal germ-cell neoplasm. Most patients are young a nd male. Since initial description of the endodermal sinus tumor in 19 59, this neoplasm has been found more and more frequently. alpha-Fetop rotein is an important tumor marker. The treatment consists of multimo dal therapy. A combined approach with chemotherapy followed by surgica l resection of residual tumor seems to be the optimal management of th is tumor. Even a palliative surgical resection in advanced tumors is i ndicated. We describe the case of a patient with an advanced yolk sac tumor that was refractory to chemotherapy. This patient was treated by palliative surgical resection.