An Aggressive Case of Thymic Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma Complicated by Cytokine Release Syndrome: A Case Report

Thymic lymphoepithelial carcinomas (TLECs) are a rare primary thymic cancer best described by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the thymic stroma. Though only accounting for 1.3%-6% of thymic carcinomas, the distribution of TLECs is bimodal, peaking around ages 14 and 48 and affecting males to females in a 2:1 ratio. Due to their rarity and aggressive nature, they often present at later stages and can be primarily treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. While several paraneoplastic syndromes have been reported with TLECs, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) has been observed in several cases. This particular case illustrates a metastatic TLEC patient that was treated with chemotherapy and complicated by CRS.