Mediastinoscopy

What is Mediastinoscopy?

A mediastinoscopy is a surgical procedure that enables doctors to examine the organs in the mediastinum (the area between the chest and lungs). Many times this procedure is recommended if a physician suspects that a patient may have mesothelioma. If that is the case, by performing a mediastinoscopy, the doctor can identify the presence of abnormal growths or tumors and biopsy them. This procedure also helps surgeons determine whether or not cancer has spread to the lymph nodes which can indicate the stage that the disease has progressed to. Doctors can then use this information to develop a mesothelioma treatment plan. If, for example, cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, surgical intervention would not be a treatment option as the disease would have progressed to at least stage 3.

What to Expect if Your Doctor Recommends Mediastinoscopy

A mediastinoscopy is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. In order to help patients breathe during the operation, an endotracheal tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. Next, the surgeon will make a small incision immediately below the neck so that the mediastinoscope can be inserted through it. The device is similar to an endoscope and is a small tube with a light at the end of it that allows the doctor to examine the mediastinum. If abnormalities are detected, the surgeon can obtain a tissue sample from any tumor masses, abnormal tissue or the lymph nodes by inserting special biopsy tools through the tube. The samples will then be sent to a laboratory for diagnosis. The procedure generally takes no longer than an hour to complete.

Risks Associated with Mediastinoscopy

Complications from a mediastinoscopy are not common. As with many types of surgery there are risks of adverse reaction to anesthesia, excessive bleeding, infection and damage to the esophagus. In general, it is not considered to be a high risk surgery.