Mediastinal Tumor Surgery
Mediastinal tumor surgery removes a tumor or mass from the mediastinum — the central space between the lungs that holds the heart, great vessels, thymus and lymph nodes. It treats masses such as thymoma, benign cysts and enlarged lymph nodes. At FHI it is performed by robotic (da Vinci Xi or SP), video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) or open approaches, chosen to fit the mass.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
The mediastinum is the central compartment of the chest, between the two lungs, containing the heart and great vessels, the thymus gland, the windpipe and oesophagus, and many lymph nodes. Masses here include thymoma and other thymic tumors, benign cysts, enlarged or abnormal lymph nodes and less common tumors. Some are found incidentally on a scan; others cause symptoms by pressing on nearby structures. Surgery removes the mass and provides tissue for a precise diagnosis.
FHI's Thoracic Surgery Center removes mediastinal tumors through a robotic approach on the da Vinci Xi (multi-port) or single-port SP, by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), or by open surgery when the mass is large or closely involves vital structures. The single-port SP can work through one small incision between the ribs or below the breastbone (subxiphoid). Because the heart and great vessels sit in this space, tumors involving the aorta are managed together with the Cardiac Surgery Center, and complex cases are reviewed at thoracic-surgery and oncology tumor boards with internal and external physicians.
International patients are supported by a dedicated coordinator who arranges evaluation, and our specialists can review your imaging and reports remotely. Before you travel you receive a written plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate, along with an explanation of which parts of care are best done on site and how follow-up continues after you return home.
Who is a candidate?
- Adults with a mediastinal mass such as a thymoma, cyst or abnormal lymph nodes
- Patients whose imaging suggests a mass that can be removed surgically
- People with symptoms from a mass pressing on nearby structures, or a growing or uncertain lesion
- Patients with myasthenia gravis for whom thymus removal is recommended by their team
- Those fit enough for general anesthesia and reviewed as suitable for surgery at a tumor board
What happens
- 1
Assessment and diagnosis
CT or MRI, sometimes PET-CT, and blood tests characterise the mass. A biopsy may be done first for some tumors, while others are removed for diagnosis. Complex cases are discussed at a tumor board.
- 2
Preparation
You meet the surgical and anesthesia teams and receive instructions on medicines and fasting. If a mass involves the aorta or great vessels, planning includes the Cardiac Surgery Center.
- 3
The operation
Under general anesthesia the surgeon removes the mass using a robotic, VATS or open approach; the single-port SP may allow removal through one small incision between the ribs or below the breastbone. The tissue is sent for pathology to confirm the diagnosis.
- 4
Early recovery
A chest drain is usually placed and removed once drainage settles. Pain relief, early walking and breathing exercises support recovery, and the team monitors your breathing, wounds and, where relevant, heart function.
- 5
Pathology and follow-up
Final pathology confirms whether the mass is benign or malignant and guides any further treatment, which may be reviewed again at a tumor board. International patients receive a written follow-up plan to continue at home.
Benefits
- Removes the mass and provides tissue for a precise diagnosis
- Relieves symptoms caused by a mass pressing on nearby structures
- Minimally invasive robotic and VATS options can mean less pain and a faster recovery than open surgery
- Single-port SP may allow removal through one small rib-space or subxiphoid incision
- Combined thoracic and cardiac expertise for masses involving the aorta, with tumor-board planning
Risks & considerations
- General risks of surgery and anesthesia, including bleeding and infection
- Injury to nearby structures — great vessels, nerves such as the phrenic nerve, the windpipe or oesophagus
- Prolonged air leak, or fluid or air collection in the chest
- Chest-wall or nerve pain around the incisions
- Occasionally the surgeon must convert a minimally invasive operation to open surgery for safety
- For malignant tumors, further treatment may be needed and outcomes depend on the type and stage
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Thoracic Surgery.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Mediastinal Tumor Surgery — frequently asked questions
Common ones include thymoma and other thymic tumors, benign cysts, and enlarged or abnormal lymph nodes; less common tumors also occur. Some are benign and some malignant, which is why surgery to remove the mass and confirm the diagnosis on pathology is often recommended.
Often, yes. FHI removes many mediastinal masses by robotic surgery (da Vinci Xi or single-port SP) or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The single-port SP can work through one small incision between the ribs or below the breastbone. Larger masses or those closely involving vital structures may need open surgery.
The mediastinum contains the heart and great vessels, so tumors involving the aorta are managed jointly with our Cardiac Surgery Center. This means the necessary cardiac and thoracic expertise is available together, and complex cases are also reviewed at a tumor board.
Yes. A dedicated coordinator arranges your evaluation and our specialists can review your imaging and reports remotely. You receive a written plan and an itemized cost estimate before you decide to travel.
We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual. Hospital stay is usually a few days but depends on the operation and your recovery, and your coordinator confirms the timeline.
Related treatments
Considering mediastinal tumor surgery?
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