Definition:
The mediastinum is the area in the chest between the lungs, that contains the heart, the windpipe, and the esophagus. The mediastinum also contains lymph nodes.
With cancer, doctors often evaluate the mediastinum to see if any cancer has spread to this region. One procedure that allows surgeons to visualize this area is called a mediastinoscopy.
Examples:
Joy had a procedure done to see if her lung cancer had spread to lymph nodes in her mediastinum.
