Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.
1998 Mar;31(3):319-323.
Thymic Carcinoid Tumor: 1 Case report
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine Kyung Hee University, Korea.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Kyung Hee University, Korea.
- 3Department of Anatomic Pathology Medicine, College of Medicine Kyung Hee University, Korea.
Abstract
- Thymic carcinoid tumor is a rare mediastinal tumor, which was firstly described by Rosai and Higa in 1972. A carcinoid tumor of the thymus has recently been regarded as a distinct tumor from thymoma, and is probably Kultschizky cell origin. The pathologic diagnosis of thymic carcinoid is made from findings from light microscopy, immunohistochemical studies and electron microscopy. About 50% of thymic carcinoids were seen with endocrinopathies. Recurrences and extrathoracic metastasis are characteristics of thymic carcinoids. Surgical removal of the intial and tumor recurred are considered to be the most effective treatment today. However, the role of the adjuvant radiotherapy and the chemotherapy is still uncertain. Herein we report a case of thymic carcinoid tumor, which was confirmed by operation and pathologic study.
