ASE reports are often published only because of their curiosity value. All of these cases probably have some teaching value, but only occasionally is this the outstanding contribution. T h e present case is noteworthy because it brings to light an excellent example of mesenchymal-cell embryogenesis. It is one of a mediastinal tumor that was proved, by partial removal, to be a certain type ol lesion. Later, metastases proved the original diagnosis to be incomplete, though the recurrent tumor was unchanged and in itself still warranted the original diagnosis.
CASE REPORT
A 63-year-old, white Alaskan housewife was entirely well and working until May, 1947, at which time she was told by a friend that she did not look well. She visited her physician, who thought that she had some type of pneumonia. Later, she was examined roentgenographically and bronchoscopically and was told that she had a "spot" on her lung and should return to the United States for further treatment. She did this, and was hospitalized at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, Oregon, in June, 1947. Her chief complaints were (1) a dry hacking cough for two months, and (2) weight loss of 15 Ib. in the past twelve months. T h e patient felt fine and was hardly aware of the onset of her symptoms. Even at the time of admission they troubled her little.
In 1945, the patient had had a right radical mastectomy for carcinoma and was irradiated postoperatively. In 1929, she had had a hysterectomy, an appendectomy, and a hemorrhoidectomy. No other illnesses except the usual childhood diseases were elicited.
Family History. Questioning revealed no family history of cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis, metabolic disease, or other familial illnesses.