A case of malignant thymoma mimicking thyroid carcinoma: a pitfall in fine-needle aspiration

Endocr J. 2004 Apr;51(2):237-41. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.51.237.

Abstract

A case of malignant thymoma presenting as an anterior neck mass is reported. The tumor extended from the thyroid gland to the superior mediastinum. It did not accumulate Tc-99m pertechnetate, but continued to accumulate Tl-201 at the late phase. A fine-needle aspiration cytology from the tumor showed tight clusters of epithelial cells with crowded ovoid nuclei. The tumor was initially diagnosed as thyroid carcinoma, clinically and cytologically. A thymoma with a dominant epithelial component has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a suspected papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
  • Thallium Radioisotopes
  • Thymoma / diagnosis*
  • Thymoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Thymoma / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thallium Radioisotopes
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m