Turkish Journal of Pathology

Türk Patoloji Dergisi

Turkish Journal of Pathology

Turkish Journal of Pathology

2010, Vol 26, Num, 2     (Pages: 156-158)

Type A Thymoma with Extensive Necrosis Mimicing Atypical Carcinoid Tumor: A Case Report

Yetkin AĞAÇKIRAN 1, Ersin GÜNAY 2, Sibel GÜNAY 2, Leyla MEMİŞ 3, İrfan TAŞTEPE 4

1 Department of Pathology, M.H. Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, ANKARA, TURKEY
2 Department of Chest Diseases, M.H. Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, ANKARA, TURKEY
3 Department of Pathology, Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, ANKARA, TURKEY
4 Department of Thoracic Surgery, M.H. Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, ANKARA, TURKEY

DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2010.01014
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Necrosis, infarction, haemorrhage and cystic degeneration in thymoma are described mostly focally. Extensive cystic and necrotic degenerations are reported very rarely. A 38-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital for right chest pain, cough and dyspnea of 3 months duration. Radiological investigations revealed a mass lesion 7x9 cm in diameter located in the anterior mediastinum without any calcifications, septation or mediastinal extension. During operation, a well encapsulated easily resectable large tumor tissue was observed. Pathological examination was suggestive of Type A thymoma which was challenging as regards the differential diagnosis of spindle cell atypical carcinoid. This rare entity was discussed with a literature survey.

Keywords : Thymoma, Extensive necrosis, Carcinoid tumor