Thymic squamous cell carcinoma producing parathyroid hormone-related protein and CYFRA 21-1

Intern Med. 2004 Jun;43(6):493-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.43.493.

Abstract

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea. Radiographic examination showed an anterior mediastinal mass and pericardial effusion. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) levels were elevated, and serum CYFRA 21-1 level was extremely high. Results of percutaneous needle biopsy under computed tomography guidance led to a diagnosis of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistological staining showed the tumor cells to be positive for PTHrP and cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies. Postmortem findings were considered to indicate thymic carcinoma. Thymic carcinoma is rare, but our case indicates that thymic squamous cell carcinoma can be identified in terms of paraneoplastic hypercalcemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / biosynthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Diphosphonates
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Keratin-19
  • Keratins
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pamidronate
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / biosynthesis*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Keratin-19
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • antigen CYFRA21.1
  • Vincristine
  • Keratins
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Pamidronate
  • Cisplatin

Supplementary concepts

  • ADOC protocol