Malignant thymoma with distant metastases: a case report and review of the literature

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 1983 Dec;13(4):733-9.

Abstract

A patient, a 46-year-old female, with a malignant thymoma spreading to the extrathoracic region is described. She underwent a thoracotomy and received radiation therapy, but the myasthenic symptoms did not disappear. A metastatic thymoma of the right mandibula was removed 9 months after thoracotomy. Further examination revealed metastatic thymomas of the bone and liver. After the operation the patient received combination chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, prednisone) and remained asymptomatic for 31 months. She was found to have a metastatic thymoma in the occipital lobe of the brain 3.5 years after thoracotomy, and died from infection of the lung. Distant metastases and chemotherapy in malignant thymoma are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mandibular Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mandibular Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mercaptopurine / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Thymoma / drug therapy
  • Thymoma / secondary*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Mercaptopurine
  • Prednisone