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Invasive thymoma in a child: a rare case report
Mauricio Murce Rocha1, Precil Diego Miranda de Menezes Neves, Camila Cristina Martini Rodrigues
1Surgery Department, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of invasive thymoma in a 9-year-old boy, successfully treated with surgery alone. The child showed no signs of recurrence after two years of follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric oncology
- Thoracic surgery
Background:
- Thymomas are rare anterior mediastinal neoplasms, uncommon in children.
- This case highlights a rare occurrence of invasive thymoma in a pediatric patient.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old boy presented with a mediastinal mass detected via chest imaging.
- The mass was invasive, involving the lung, phrenic nerve, and pericardium.
Findings:
- Pathologic analysis confirmed a type B3 fusiform-cell thymoma.
- Surgical resection (left upper lobectomy and mediastinal mass removal) was performed.
- The patient experienced no recurrence after 2 years of observation.
Implications:
- Surgical management can be effective for pediatric invasive thymoma.
- Minimally invasive approaches may be considered for similar pediatric cases.
- Long-term surveillance is crucial for patients with thymoma.
Abstract:
Thymomas are neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum and generally occur between the fourth and sixth decades of life. In children, they are rare, with few reported cases. We describe a 9-year-old boy with invasive thymoma treated successfully by surgery alone. The patient was previously healthy and under treatment for a community-acquired pneumonia. A chest radiograph showed an opacity at the left lung base, and thoracic computed tomographic scan showed a mass with thick walls and liquid content situated in the lingula with no cleavage plane with the mediastinum. The patient underwent a left anterolateral thoracotomy, which showed a mass extending from the anterior mediastinum, infiltrating the left upper lobe of lung, phrenic nerve, and pericardium. A left upper lobectomy and resection of the mediastinal mass and lymph nodes were carried out. The pathologic analysis showed it to be a type B3 fusiform-cell thymoma, infiltrating the left upper lobe and 1 peribronchial lymph node. A multidisciplined tumor group decided to observe the patient and followed with thoracic computed tomographic scans every 3 months. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient has no evidence of recurrent disease.
