A rare case of mature cystic teratoma arising in the anterior mediastinum in a 33-year-old male

Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) are rare germ cell tumors of the mediastinum that more commonly occur in the gonads; however, they are the most common type of mediastinal germ cell tumor.When they arise in the anterior mediastinum, they can resemble other tumors, such as thymic neoplasms.We report the case of a 33-year-old male who presented with anterior chest pain.Chest computed tomography revealed a 5.0×3.5 cm oval mass in the right anterior mediastinum.Surgical excision was performed and histopathological examination revealed various mature tissue types with degenerative capsular wall changes, consistent with a mature cystic teratoma.The patient recovered uneventfully and showed no evidence of recurrence during follow-up.Although rare, mediastinal MCTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal masses.Complete surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, offering an excellent prognosis and minimal risk of recurrence.Histopathological confirmation is essential for an accurate diagnosis.