See, Posterior Mediastinal tumor develops in back portion of chest cavity, between your heart and spine. Think of it like growth in that space. Most of these tumors are neurogenic – means they develop from nerve tissue.

 Not always. Actually, many posterior mediastinal tumors are benign, especially in young patients. But we need proper testing to confirm the nature of the tumor. Don’t worry too much – we’ll do a complete evaluation.

These tumors often grow slowly and don’t cause symptoms until they become large. Sometimes they’re found accidentally during chest X-ray for something else. That’s why regular check-ups are important.

We’ll need a CT scan, sometimes an MRI also. These give us detailed pictures of tumor location and size. Sometimes we might need a biopsy to confirm the exact type. All these help us to plan the best treatment.

Usually surgery is the main treatment because these tumors are well-defined and can be removed completely. For most of the tumors, surgery and removal of the total tumor provides a complete cure. We usually perform surgery using minimally invasive surgical techniques such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or Robotic surgery. It means smaller cuts, faster recovery.

Typically 2-3 hours, depending on tumor size and location. We use very advanced techniques now. Most times we can do complete removal through small incisions.

Most patients stay in hospital for 3-5 days after surgery. Complete recovery takes about 4-6 weeks. But you’ll start feeling better much sooner.

Some pain is normal but we manage it well with medicines. Most patients have moderate pain for a few days, then it improves quickly. We’ll ensure you’re comfortable.

Main things to watch – unusual pain, fever, breathing difficulty. But don’t worry too much – complications are quite rare with modern surgical techniques.

Usually can return to a desk job within 2-3 weeks. Physical work might need 4-6 weeks. We’ll assess your recovery and guide accordingly.

Start with gentle walking after a few days. Gradually increase activity. No heavy exercise for 2 months. We’ll give you a proper exercise plan based on your recovery.

Recurrence is quite rare if we remove the tumor completely. But regular follow-up is important to catch any problems early.

Most patients return to normal life without any long-term problems. Regular follow-up helps ensure everything stays fine.

First month weekly, then monthly for 3 months. After that, yearly if everything is stable. But if any problems develop, contact me immediately.

No major restrictions after recovery. Just maintain a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise as advised, and attend follow-ups regularly.