Thymic carcinoma in a child with HIV infection

Abstract

HIV infection predisposes to cancer during childhood. In addition to the AIDS-defining non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Kaposi sarcoma, a range of other lymphoid malignancies and solid tumors have been described. We report the first case of an HIV-positive child with thymic carcinoma in the setting of regressing thymic cysts. The tumor expressed CKIT but failed to respond to imatinab mesylate after a transient response to multiagent chemotherapy. This case extends the spectrum of pediatric malignancy in the setting of HIV and suggests that patients with presumed benign thymic cysts require ongoing surveillance.

Giant multilocular thymic cyst in an HIV-infected adolescent

“…None of these patients developed thymic neoplasms. However, thymic carcinoma has been described in association with HIV-related MTC [9].…”

“…Other possibilities include tuberculosis, primary lung cancer, germ cell tumors, thymic cysts, and thymic carcinoma [5,9].…”

Large Multilocular Thymic Cyst: A Rare Finding in an HIV Positive Adult Female

“…Foci of thymoma and thymic carcinoma have been found in resected MTCs in HIV negative individuals,[1] but in HIV positive patients, only one recent case report has noted a thymic carcinoma in a resolving multilocular thymic cyst. [8] MTCs can exhibit spontaneous reduction in volume, although no long-term follow-up studies have been performed to see if these masses fully resolve. [23] Surgical excision is curative, and while MTCs in HIV negative patients have been shown to recur after excision, cyst recurrence has not been noted in HIV positive individuals.…”

Type B thymoma in a patient with HIV infection: A case report with a review of HIV and thymoma coexistence

“…To the best of our knowledge, four prior cases of thymoma with HIV infection have been reported, of which three were well-described (Table 1). [5][6][7][8] This comorbidity affected both adults and children, and patients of this kind were speculated to be more prone to opportunistic infections. 7,8 Together with our patient, several common features are found in these cases.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] This comorbidity affected both adults and children, and patients of this kind were speculated to be more prone to opportunistic infections. 7,8 Together with our patient, several common features are found in these cases. First, thymoma was discovered after HIV in all cases, which fits the definition of HIV-associated cancer.…”