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Metaplastic thymoma: report of 4 cases
Guhyun Kang1, Nara Yoon, Joungho Han
1Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Korean Journal of Pathology
|October 31, 2012
Summary
Metaplastic thymoma (MT) is a rare thymus tumor with a distinct biphasic appearance. These tumors are typically benign and have a good prognosis after surgical removal.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Metaplastic thymoma (MT) is a rare tumor of the thymus, characterized by its biphasic morphology.
- It was accepted into the World Health Organization 2004 classification of tumors of the thymus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinicopathologic features of four cases of metaplastic thymoma.
- To discuss the differential diagnoses for this unusual mediastinal neoplasm.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of four metaplastic thymoma cases.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, gross and histological findings.
- Review of patient outcomes following surgical excision.
Main Results:
- Four patients (3 female, 1 male, mean age 49.5 years) presented with mediastinal masses.
- One patient had symptoms of myasthenia gravis with positive anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody.
- Histologically, tumors showed epithelial islands intertwined with spindle cells; all patients had a favorable outcome post-surgery (5-55 months).
Conclusions:
- Metaplastic thymoma exhibits a distinctive biphasic histological appearance.
- MT has a benign clinical course and favorable prognosis after surgical resection.
- Distinguishing MT from other biphasic mediastinal neoplasms is crucial due to differences in aggressiveness.
