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Thymoma arising within cardiac myxoma
Dylan V Miller1, Henry D Tazelaar, John R Handy
1Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|August 13, 2005
Summary
Rare cardiac myxomas containing thymoma-like elements were identified in two patients. This suggests neoplastic transformation of thymic rests within the cardiac myxoma.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Tumor Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Cardiac myxomas are typically benign tumors with diverse cellular components.
- Ectopic endocrine tissues and thymic rests are rare findings within cardiac myxomas.
Observation:
- Two atrial tumors were analyzed, each exhibiting features of both classic cardiac myxoma and thymoma-like elements.
- Immunophenotypic analysis revealed epithelial and vascular antigens in the thymoma-like component.
Findings:
- The thymoma-like component showed reactivity to keratins (AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, wide spectrum, CK19, CK7) and CD57.
- Weak reactivity to CD31, CD34, and calretinin was observed, indicating multipotential cell characteristics.
- The co-occurrence of myxoma and thymoma-like features suggests a shared or related origin.
Implications:
- This finding suggests a potential neoplastic transformation of ectopic thymic tissue within cardiac myxomas.
- The study highlights the complex cellular origins and potential for differentiation within cardiac tumors.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis of these rare cardiac tumors.