Large cell neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma coexisting within large who type AB thymoma

Abstract

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare type of thymic epithelial tumor. It is recognized as a different entity from other thymic tumors on account of it having a more aggressive biologic behavior and poor prognosis. We report an extremely rare case of a very small, "large cell neuroendocrine thymic carcinoma" coexisting within a large thymoma that could not be detected by usual biopsy. Surgery as the initial treatment has the significance of definitive diagnosis and curative treatment for LCNEC of the thymus. To make a successful differential diagnosis, application of detailed immunohistochemical stains may be of aid, since thymic epithelial tumor is not always morphologically homogenous.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the thymus

“…This mass adhered to the pleura and extended above the left innominate vein There have been 10 reports (including our case) about LCNEC of the thymus in Japan, but only one article has been published (Table 1). 7 These 10 cases consist of 2 men and 7 women (one report did not give the sex of the patient); thus, LCNEC tends to be observed mainly in women. The average age of the male patients was 48.0 years (range 46-50 years), and the average age of the female patients was 62.7 years (range 53-69 years).…”

“…However, as a thymic tumor is not always morphologically homogeneous, accurate pretherapeutic diagnosis by a standard needle biopsy is diffi cult. 7 Surgery offers the best chance for a defi nitive diagnosis and curative treatment for thymic tumors. To make a successful differential diagnosis, the application of detailed immunohistochemical analyses, such as NCAM/CD56, may be useful for NECs.…”

Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Middle Mediastinum Involving the Right Main Pulmonary Artery

“…carcinoma [1]. Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the mediastinum are extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature, mainly involving the thymus [2]. Other reports described large cell carcinoma of the mediastinum with an unknown primary [3], but what makes our case relatively unique is that the tumor mainly arose from the right main PA.…”

“…(Ann Thorac Surg 2016;101:1596-8) Ó 2016 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons E stimations of the prevalence of congenital rib abnormalities, including extranumerary ribs, in asymptomatic general populations have ranged from 0.27% to 0.74% [1,2]. The prevalence of cervical ribs in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is 8.5% [1].…”

Neuroendocrine tumours of the chest area

“…It is defined as a well differentiated tumour showing neuroendocrine features, which morphologically is between the atypical carcinoid and small cell lung cancer. Apart from its principal pulmonary location it occurs seldom in other regions of the chest, mainly in the mediastinum (35,36,37). Morphologically, the large cell carcinoma consists of cells with clear cytoplasm and big nucleus, which contains large nucleolus.…”