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A Rare Case of Primary Tubular Adenocarcinoma of the Thymus, Enteric Immunophenotype: A Case Study and Review of the Literature

  • Jung, Hae Yoen (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Cho, Hyundeuk (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Chung, Jin-Haeng (Department of Pathology and Respiratory Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Bae, Sang Byoung (Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Ji-Hye (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Hyun Ju (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Jang, Si-Hyong (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital) ;
  • Oh, Mee-Hye (Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital)
  • Received : 2015.03.10
  • Accepted : 2015.04.16
  • Published : 2015.08.01

Abstract

Thymic carcinomas are uncommon malignant tumors, and thymic adenocarcinomas are extremely rare. Here, we describe a case of primary thymic adenocarcinoma in a 59-year-old woman. Histological examination of the tumor revealed tubular morphology with expression of cytokeratin 20 and caudal-type homeobox 2 according to immunohistochemistry, suggesting enteric features. Extensive clinical and radiological studies excluded the possibility of an extrathymic primary tumor. A review of the literature revealed only two global cases of primary tubular adenocarcinomas of the thymus with enteric immunophenotype.

Keywords

References

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