Sarcoma in Mediastinal Teratoma

Comments:
The development of somatic-type malignancy in a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor is a rare complication that occurs with greater frequency in mediastinum as compared to the gonads. The malignancy may be adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, or angiosarcoma among others. The outcome is generally poor in such cases.

The photograph shows a high-grade sarcoma that arose in the setting of a large mediastinal teratoma. The cut surface shows solid fleshy areas with necrosis as well as small cystic spaces. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission