J Korean Med Sci.  2004 Aug;19(4):601-603. 10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.601.

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Thymus: A Case Report

• Kim GD
• Kim HW
• Oh JT
• Jo HJ
• Juhng SK

• KMID: 2157693
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2004.19.4.601

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thymus is an extremely rare malignant mediastinal neoplasm, and to our knowledge, only 13 cases have been reported. We report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thymus that was seen in a 53-yr-old man with right chest pain. Chest CT scan showed a huge, cystic mass having a focal solid portion with direct invasion of the adjacent anterior chest wall and pericardium in the anterior mediastinum. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thymus should be included in the differential diagnosis for masses of the anterior mediastinum associated with extensive cystic changes, although the carcinoma is exceedingly rare.

Keyword

Mediastinal Neoplasms; Thymus Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Mucoepidermoid

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/*diagnosis/pathology
Fatal Outcome
Humans
Male
Mediastinal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology
Middle Aged
Thymus Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 PA radiographs of the chest shows a huge, well marginated, homogeneous mass in the anterior mediastinum displacing the lower trachea, bronchus and heart contralaterally.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Chest CT scan at the level of aortic origin demonstrates a huge, low attenuating, cystic mass in anterior mediastinum with internal septa and heterogeneous solid area anteromedially. (B) Contrast enhanced CT scan shows the focal solid mass area with heterogeneous enhancement anteromedially and irregular margin between the mass and anterior chest wall and pericardium.

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  Fig. 3 Photomicrograph (H-E stain, ×40) shows tumor cells forming cords or solid sheets within the fibrous stroma. Three cellular compositions; intermediate, squamous, and mucous cells are noted. Small spaces filled with mucus are also present.

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