AI Article Synopsis
- Thymic carcinomas are rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose, with a study documenting 17 years of data highlighting diagnostic challenges and differential diagnoses for 13 patients, predominantly males with a mean age of 37 years.* -
- The study found that chest pain was the most common symptom, and imaging revealed masses in the anterior mediastinum; diagnoses were mostly confirmed via surgical biopsies, revealing a variety of carcinoma types.* -
- Despite limited follow-up, with an average survival of 13 months and only one patient successfully treated with surgical resection after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the research emphasizes the overall poor outcomes and need for improved treatment standards.*
Article Abstract
Background: Thymic carcinomas are rare tumors with a challenging diagnosis. Our aim was to report our 17-year experience of these tumors and to highlight the challenges encountered and the main differential diagnoses ruled out.
Methods: We studied 12 (92%) men and 1 (7.7%) woman with a mean age of 37 years (range 15-60 years). All patients were symptomatic, with chest pain representing the most frequent symptom. Radiology revealed anterior mediastinal masses in all cases, with either infiltration of the adjacent organs or pulmonary parenchymal metastases.
Results: The diagnosis was made on surgical biopsies in 12 cases and a lymph node biopsy in one. Microscopic examination revealed squamous carcinoma in 3 cases, synovial sarcoma in 1, mucinous adenocarcinoma in 1, undifferentiated carcinoma in 2, clear cell carcinoma in 1, lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in 2, atypical carcinoid tumor in 2, and sarcomatoid carcinoma in 1. Total surgical resection was possible in one patient after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Follow-up was possible in only 6 patients, and the mean survival reached 13 months.
Conclusion: In spite of the lack of follow-up information, this study demonstrates the poor outcome associated with these tumors and the need for standardized treatment.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0218492316640129 | DOI Listing |
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