A primary germ cell tumor of the anterior mediastinum: a case report and discussion.

The anterior mediastinum is the most common extragonadal location for germ cell tumors and accounts for about 50% to 70% of such neoplasms. Embryonal cell carcinomas are one of the rarest forms and account for less than 2%. We present the case of a 19-year-old, white male who was found to have a primary embryonal cell carcinoma of the anterior mediastinum. This case illustrates the subtle complaints that these patients present with, some of the problems and decisions that go into making the diagnosis, and the response to the appropriate therapy. The following discussion takes a look at the variety of germ cell tumors, the vast differential of an anterior mediastinal mass, the workup of such a mass, and the various treatments and outcomes of extragonadal germ cell tumors.