Malignant thymic carcinoid is not prevented by transcervical thymectomy in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is an autosomal dominant tumour syndrome. It is characterized by primary hyperparathyroidism, pituitary neoplasia and foregut lineage neuroendocrine neoplasia. Malignant thymic carcinoid tumours are an uncommon but important manifestation of MEN 1. Transcervical thymectomy is often advocated as prophylaxis against thymic carcinoids, although there is a paucity of evidence to support the efficacy of this procedure. This is the first report of a malignant thymic carcinoid occurring in an MEN 1 patient following prior parathyroidectomy and transcervical thymectomy. It is concluded that transcervical thymectomy does not reliably provide prophylaxis against thymic carcinoid.