A multidisciplinary team approach to a neonate with a rare primary mediastinal tumor: a case report

Primary mediastinal tumors in children are extremely rare, consisting of under 0.1% of neoplasms in this age group. Of these, teratomas represent 8%–16% of the cases. Clinical presentation depends primarily on the tumor’s size, location, malignancy, and growth rate. Large tumor masses may compress structures in the thorax and cause respiratory distress syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome, or cardiac tamponade. This report describes a neonate with respiratory distress and heart failure shortly after birth due to a large mediastinal tumor mass. The child underwent successful surgery and has no signs of relapse during the 2-year follow-up. A complex approach and a multidisciplinary team are the cornerstone in the treatment of neonates with mediastinal tumors. Complete tumor resection is the gold standard treatment.