Malignant Hematopoietic Disorders of the Mediastinum
Hematopoietic tumors are among the most common neoplasms involving the mediastinum. Lymphomas alone represent ~60% of all mediastinal malignancies (Temes et al. Oncologist 5(3):179-84, 2000; Temes et al. West J Med 170(3):161-6, 1999). Mediastinal lymphoma includes cases of Hodgkin (~40%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (~60%) and few cases of acute myeloid leukemia/myeloid sarcoma. Hematolymphoid neoplasms confined to the mediastinum (primary disease) represent only 5% of cases, whereas mediastinal involvement in the setting of systemic disease occurs in 95% of cases (secondary involvement) (Macchiarini and Ostertag. Lancet Oncol 5(2):107-18, 2004; Strickler and Kurtin. Semin Diagn Pathol 8(1):2-13, 1991). This chapter is focused in the nodal mediastinal and thymic involvement by hematolymphoid neoplasms. Pleural and pulmonary hematolymphoid tumors are discussed in their respective chapters.
