Thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma: A case report with cytological features

Abstract

Primary thymic adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare tumor, and thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma has recently been proposed as a distinct pathological entity. Herein, we report the first cytological description of thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma. A 29-year-old Japanese female without a significant past medical history was found to have an abnormal chest shadow. Chest cases showed mucinous morphology, 1,7,[9][10][11][12][13]15 and the remaining 5 cases exhibited non-mucinous morphology (including tubular, papillotubular, and not otherwise specified). 1,5,6,8,14 In this report, we describe the cytological features of thymic enteric type non-mucinous adenocarcinoma for the first time.

Enteric-type adenocarcinoma of the thymus: a rare diagnostic challenge. A Case report

“…CD5 is commonly found in 80% of ETAT patients. It may also appear in gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas but is rare, helping to differentiate between primary AT and metastatic disease 3,6,9 . CK7 may help differentiate it from colorectal carcinoma.…”

Case report: Primary adenocarcinoma NOS of the thymus and cytological features

“…Unlike in aspirations of mucinous enteric type adenocarcinoma, an extracellular mucinous background was not observed in the fine needle aspiration biopsy or effusion specimens. However, there are reports of non‐mucinous enteric type thymic adenocarcinoma 6,12,13 . Immunohistochemical stains for enteric differentiation, namely CDX2, CK20, and MUC2, allow for the identification of these enteric type adenocarcinomas from adenocarcinoma NOS 2 .…”

“…However, there are reports of non-mucinous enteric type thymic adenocarcinoma. 6,12,13 Immunohistochemical stains for enteric differentiation, namely CDX2, CK20, and MUC2, allow for the identification of these enteric type adenocarcinomas from adenocarcinoma NOS. 2 Yet, due to the rarity of thymic adenocarcinomas, prognostic differences between these types remains unclear and surgical resection is the preferred treatment method in both types.…”