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Thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma: A case report with cytological features
Marie Tamai1, Mitsuaki Ishida1, Yusuke Ebisu1
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|September 10, 2017
Summary
This report describes the first case of thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma, a rare tumor. Cytological and immunocytochemical findings are crucial for distinguishing this primary thymic cancer from metastatic disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Cytology
Background:
- Primary thymic adenocarcinoma is exceptionally rare.
- Thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma is a recently proposed distinct pathological entity.
- Accurate diagnosis is critical for patient management and differentiating from metastatic disease.
Observation:
- A 29-year-old female presented with an anterior mediastinal tumor.
- Cytological analysis revealed cohesive epithelial clusters with specific nuclear features and intracytoplasmic mucin.
- Immunocytochemistry showed positivity for cytokeratin 20 and CDX-2.
Findings:
- The study provides the first cytological description of thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma.
- Histopathology confirmed a tubular and papillotubular growth pattern with characteristic cellular morphology.
- Immunohistochemistry corroborated the cytological findings, confirming cytokeratin 20 and CDX-2 expression.
Implications:
- Cytological and immunocytochemical features are key for diagnosing thymic enteric type adenocarcinoma.
- Distinguishing this rare primary tumor from metastatic adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal origin is essential.
- Awareness of this entity aids in accurate diagnosis of mediastinal tumors.
