A Rare Case of Primary Tubular Adenocarcinoma of the Thymus, Enteric Immunophenotype: A Case Study and Review of the Literature.

Author: Hae Yoen JUNG ¹ ; Hyundeuk CHO ; Jin Haeng CHUNG ; Sang Byoung BAE ; Ji Hye LEE ; Hyun Ju LEE ; Si Hyong JANG ; Mee Hye OH
Author Information

1. Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. mhoh0212@schmc.ac.kr
Publication Type:Case Report
Keywords: Thymus gland; Adenocarcinoma; Keratin-20; Caudal type homeobox 2
MeSH: Adenocarcinoma*; Female; Genes, Homeobox; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratin-20; Middle Aged; Thymoma; Thymus Gland*
From:Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2015;49(4):331-334
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Thymic carcinomas are uncommon malignant tumors, and thymic adenocarcinomas are extremely rare. Here, we describe a case of primary thymic adenocarcinoma in a 59-year-old woman. Histological examination of the tumor revealed tubular morphology with expression of cytokeratin 20 and caudal-type homeobox 2 according to immunohistochemistry, suggesting enteric features. Extensive clinical and radiological studies excluded the possibility of an extrathymic primary tumor. A review of the literature revealed only two global cases of primary tubular adenocarcinomas of the thymus with enteric immunophenotype.