Mediastinal masses masquerading as common respiratory conditions of childhood: a case series

Introduction  

Leukaemia and lymphoma may present with symptoms and signs mimicking common respiratory conditions of childhood such as asthma or croup. The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines for referral for suspected cancer state that “the primary healthcare professional should be ready to review the initial diagnosis in patients in whom common symptoms do not resolve as expected” and “must be alert to the possibility of cancer when confronted by unusual symptom patterns” (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2005).