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Nonmalignant pericardial effusion associated with thymic cancer
Tatsuya Nishi1, Shinzo Takamori, Fumihiko Muta
1Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan. west@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|May 8, 2010
Summary
A case of thymic carcinoma presented with massive pericardial effusion. The effusion was not malignant, and the patient recovered fully after surgical resection of the thymic tumor.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Thymic carcinoma is a rare malignancy.
- Massive pericardial effusion can be a presenting symptom.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old man presented with dyspnea due to massive pericardial effusion.
- Imaging revealed an anterior mediastinal mass suggestive of thymic carcinoma or invasive thymoma.
Findings:
- Pericardial fluid analysis showed no malignant cells.
- Histopathology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus.
- The patient underwent successful tumor resection with partial pericardium removal.
Implications:
- This case highlights that not all pericardial effusions associated with thymic cancer are malignant.
- Further research is needed to understand the etiology of non-malignant effusions in thymic carcinoma.
- Complete resection led to a favorable long-term outcome without recurrence or effusion.
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