Hi All

I now have a date for surgery to remove the remains of a mediastinal Germ Cell tumour from the centre of my chest. I completed 15 weeks of intensive CBOP BEP chemo 8 weeks ago, which I found hard going, the side effects are starting to subside  and I'm feeling much better, . However I now have to face the thoracic surgery, I'm a bit anxious, the surgeon mention the risks and has indicated the phrenic nerve may be within the mass and could be severed, this would paralyse the right area of the diagram permanently,  severely affecting my breathing.the oncologist reckons the vast majority of the tumour is dead and will slowly shrink away as the body absorbs it.

Surgery is the most common approach to removing any chance of recurrence but is it worth the risk, the surgeon stated that had I been in my 70s he would have just left it in place.

I'm 57, has anyone undertaken similar surgery, its a cut down the sternum to allow full access to the chest cavity?

What is the recovery period likely to be, did anyone suffer complications

Thanks in advance 

John