Invasive thymoma

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2010;51(3):573-5.

Abstract

Thymomas are rare tumors of the thymic epithelium with a broad spectrum of morphological and clinical features. Despite a benign histological appearance, it can invade nearby structures or metastasize. The majority of patients are asymptomatic, but some may present with paraneoplastic syndromes such as myasthenia gravis, red cell aplasia, or hypogammaglobulinemia. Various staging systems of thymomas have been defined based on the degree of invasiveness. According to the WHO Classification, there are six histologic types of thymic epithelial tumors. The most important prognostic factor is the stage according to Masaoka's system. We report a case of invasive thymoma diagnosed incidentally in a patient with cardiovascular risk factors referred to the cardiologist with suspected thoracic aorta aneurism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Thymoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Thymoma / pathology*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed