Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Benign and Malignant Tumors

  • Chapter
Thymus Gland Pathology

Abstract

The gamut of benign and malignant lesions that can occur in the mediastinum or thymus is wide in spectrum and beyond the scope of a chapter dealing with this rich pathology. This chapter will focus on primary mediastinal lesions with special interest in those that are more commonly seen. Although metastatic tumors to the mediastinum, in some circumstances, may mimic primary mediastinal tumors, they will be addressed in the context of the primary mediastinal lesions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Zanca P, Chuang TH, DeAvila R, Galindo DL (1965) True congenital mediastinal thymic cyst. Pediatrics 36:615–619

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Suster S, Rosai J (1991) Multilocular thymic cyst: An acquired reactive process. Study of 18 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 15:388–398

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Suster S, Barbuto D, Carlson G, Rosai J (1991) Multilocular thymic cysts with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. Hum Pathol 22:455–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Michal M, Havlicek F (1991) Pseudo-epitheliomatous hyperplasia in thymic cysts. Histopathology 19:281–282

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Flieder DB, Suster S, Moran CA (1997) Idiopathic fibroinflammatory (Fibrosing/Sclerosing) lesions of the mediastinum: A study of 30 cases with emphasis on morphologic heterogeneity. Mod Pathol 12:257–264

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sobrinho-Simoes MA, Vaz Saleiro J, Wagenvoort CA (1981) Mediastinal and hilar fibrosis. Histopathology 5:53–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kittredge RD, Nash AD (1974) The many facets of sclerosing fibrosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 122:228–298

    Google Scholar 

  8. Eggleston JC (1980) Sclerosing mediastinitis. In: Fenoglio CM, Wolff M (eds) Progress in surgical pathology, vol 2. Masson, New York, p 1–17

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rosado-de-Christenson ML, Pugatch RD, Moran CA, Galobardes J (1994) Thymolipoma: Analysis of 27 cases. Radiology 193:121–126

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Moran CA, Rosado-de-Christenson ML, Suster S (1995) Thymolipoma: A clinicopathologic correlation of 33 cases. Mod Pathol 8:741–744

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. McAdams HP, Rosado-de-Christenson ML, Moran CA (1994) Mediastinal hemangioma: Radiographic and CT features in 14 patients. Radiology 193:399–402

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Moran CA, Suster S (1995) Mediastinal hemangiomas: A study of 18 cases with emphasis on the spectrum of morphological features. Hum Pathol 26:416–421

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Moran CA, Suster S, Fishback N, Koss MN (1993) Mediastinal paragangliomas: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 16 cases. Cancer 72:2358–2364

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Olson JL, Salyer WR (1978) Mediastinal paraganglioma (aortic body tumor). Cancer 41:2405–2412

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Moran CA, Suster S (2005) Primary parathyroid tumors of the mediastinum: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 17 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 124:749–754

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Novak L, Castro CY, Listinsky CM (2003) Multiple Langerhans cell nodules in an incidental thymectomy. Arch Pathol Lab Med 127:218–220

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Lim R, Wittram C, Ferry JA, Shepard JA (2004) FDG PET of Rosai Dorfman disease of the thymus. AJR Am J Roentgenol 182:514

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Keller AR, Hochholzer L, Clastleman B (1972) Hyaline-vascular and plasma cell types of giant lymph node hyperplasia of the mediastinum and other locations. Cancer 29:670–683

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Strickler JG, Kurtin PJ (1991) Mediastinal lymphoma. Sem Diagn Pathol 8:2–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Plaza JA, Dominguez F, Sustr S (2004) Cystic adenomatoid tumor of the mediastinum. Am J Surg Pathol 28:132–138

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Moran CA, Suster S (2000) On the histologic heterogeneity of thymic epithelial neoplasms: Impact of sampling in subtyping and classification of thymomas. Am J Clin Pathol 114:760–766

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Suster S (2006) My approach to the diagnosis of thymoma. J Clin Pathol (E-pub) May 5

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chalabreysse L, Roy P, Cordier JF et al (2002) Correlation of the WHO schema for the classification of thymic epithelial neoplasms with prognosis. A retrospective study of 90 tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 26:1605–1611

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Rieker RJ, Hoegel J, Morresi-Hauf A et al (2002) Histologic classification of thymic epithelial tumors: Comparison of established classification schemes. Int J Cancer 98:900–906

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Koga K, Matsumoto Y, Noguchi M (1994) A review of 79 thymomas: Modification of staging system and reappraisal of conventional division into invasive and noninvasive thymoma. Pathology Int 44:359–367

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Regnad JF, Magdeleinant P, Dromer C (1996) Prognostic factors and long term results after thymoma resection: A series of 307 patients. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 112:376–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Bernatz PE, Harrison EG, Claggett OT (1961) Thymoma: A clinicopathologic study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 42:424–444

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Bernatz PE, Khonsari S, Harrison EG (1973) Thymoma: Factor influencing prognosis. Surg Clin North Am 53:885–892

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Marino M, Muller-Hermelink HK (1985) Thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Relation of thymoma epithelial cells to the cortical and medullary differentiation of the thymus. Virchows Arch 407:119–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Kirchner T, Muller-Hermelink HK (1989) New approaches to the diagnosis of thymic epithelial tumors. Prog Surg Pathol 10:167–189

    Google Scholar 

  31. Quintanilla-Martinez L, Wilkins EW, Choi N, Harris N (1993) Thymoma: Histologic sub-classification is an independent prognostic parameter. Cancer 24:958–969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Travis WD, Brambilla E, Muller-Hermelink HK, Harris CC (2004) Pathology and genetics of tumours of the lung, pleura, thymus, and heart. In: World Health Organization Classification of Tumours, IARC Press, Lyon

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rosai J (1999) Histological typing of tumours of the thymus. In: World Health Organization International Histological Classification of Tumours, 2nd edn. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  34. Suster S, Moran CA (1999) Thymoma, atypical thymoma and thymic carcinoma. A novel conceptual approach to the classification of neoplasms of thymic epithelium. Am J Clin Pathol 111:826–833

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Suster S, Moran CA (2006) Thymoma classification: Current status and future trends. Am J Clin Pathol 125:542–554

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Suster S, Moran CA (2005) Problem areas and inconsistencies in the WHO classification of thymoma. Sem Diagn Pathol 22:188–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Suster S, Rosai J (1991) Thymic carcinoma. A clinicopathologic study of 60 cases. Cancer 67:1025–1032

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Wick MR, Scheithauer BW, Weiland LH, Bernatz PE (1982) Primary thymic carcinomas. Am J Surg Pathol 6:613–630

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Snover DC, Levine GD, Rosai J (1982) Thymic carcinoma: Five distinctive histologic variants. Am J Surg Pathol 6:451–470

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Suster S, Moran CA (1998) Thymic carcinoma: Spectrum of differentiation and histologic types. Pathology 30:111–122

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kuo TT, Chang JP, Lin FJ et al (1990) Thymic carcinomas: Histopathologic varieties and immunohistochemical study. Am J Surg Pathol 14:24–34

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Truong LD, Mody DR, Cagle PT et al (1990) Thymic carcinoma: A clinicopathologic study of 13 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 14:151–166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Moran CA, Suster S (1995) Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thymus: A clinicopathologic study of six cases. Am J Surg Pathol 19:826–834

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Suster S, Moran CA (1996) Primary thymic epithelial neoplasms with combined features of thymoma and thymic carcinoma. A clinicopathologic study of 22 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 20:1469–1480

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Shimosato Y, Kameya T, Nagai K, Suemasu K (1977) Squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus. An analysis of eight patients. Am J Surg Pathol 1:109–120

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Moran CA, Suster S (2007) Neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell carcinoma, and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma): Current concepts. Hematol/Oncol Clin North Am 5:1–13

    Google Scholar 

  47. Moran CA, Suster S (2000) Neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid tumor) of the thymus: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 80 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 114:100–110

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Klemm KM, Moran CA (1999) Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the thymus. Sem Diagn Pathol 16:32–41

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Moran CA, Suster S (2000) Thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas with combined features ranging from well-differentiated (carcinoid) to small cell carcinoma. Am J Clin Pathol 113:345–350

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Moran CA, Suster S (1999) Spindle cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the thymus (spindle cell thymic carcinoid): A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of seven cases. Mod Pathol 12:587–591

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Moran CA, Suster S (1999) Angiomatoid neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thymus: Report of a distinctive morphological variant of neuroendocrine tumor of the thymus resembling a vascular neoplasm. Hum Pathol 30:635–639

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Moran CA, Suster S (2000) Oncocytic neuroendocrine carcinomas of the thymus: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 22 cases. Mod Pathol 13:489–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Klemm KM, Moran CA, Suster S (1999) Pigmented thymic carcinoids: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of two cases. Mod Pathol 12:946–948

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Suster S, Moran CA (1995) Thymic carcinoid with prominent mucinous stroma: Report of a distinctive morphological variant of thymic neuroendocrine neoplasm. Am J Surg Pathol 19:1277–1285

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Rosai J, Higa E (1972) Mediastinal endocrine neoplasms of probable thymic origin related to carcinoid tumor. Cancer 29:1061–1074

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Rosai J, Higa E, Davie J (1972) Mediastinal endocrine neoplasms in patients with multiple endocrine adenomatosis: A previously unrecognized association. Cancer 29:1075–1083

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Adam A, Hochholzer L (1981) Ganglioneuroblastoma of the posterior mediastinum: A clinicopathologic review of 80 cases. Cancer 47:373–381

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Asada Y, Marutsuka K, Mitsukawa T et al (1996) Ganglioneuroblastoma of the thymus: An adult case with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Hum Pathol 27:506–509

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Salter JE, Gibson D, Ordonez NG, Mackay B (1995) Neuroblastoma of the anterior mediastinum in an 80-year-old woman. Ultrastruc Pathol 19:305–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Knapp RH, Hurt RD, Payne WS (1985) Malignant germ cell tumors of the mediastinum. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 89:89–82

    Google Scholar 

  61. Woolner LB, Jamplis RW, Kirklin JW (1955) Seminoma (germinoma) of the anterior mediastinum. N Eng J Med 252:653–657

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Nazari A, Gagnon ED (1966) Seminoma-like tumor of the mediastinum. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 51:751–754

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Moran CA, Suster S (1997) Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum I. Analysis of 322 cases with special emphasis on teratomatous lesions and a proposal for histopathologic classification and clinical staging. Cancer 80:681–690

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Moran CA, Suster, Przygodsky RM, Koss MN (1997) Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum II. Mediastinal seminomas: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 120 cases. Cancer 80:691–698

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Moran CA, Suster S, Koss MN (1997) Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum III. Yolk sac tumor, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and combined non-teratomatous germ cell tumors of the mediastinum: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 64 cases. Cancer 80:699–707

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Moran CA, Suster S (1995) Mediastinal seminomas with prominent cystic changes. A clinicopathologic study of 10 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 19:1047–1053

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Moran CA, Suster S (1997) Primary yolk sac tumors of the mediastinum with prominent cystic changes: Clinicopathologic study of 5 cases. Mod Pathol 10:800–803

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Moran CA, Suster S (1997) Primary yolk sac tumors of the mediastinum with prominent hepatoid features. Am J Surg Pathol 21:1210–1214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Moran CA, Suster S (1997) Mediastinal choriocarcinomas. A clinicopathologic study of 8 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 21:1007–1012

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Suster S, Moran CA, Dominguez H, Quevedo-Blanco P (1998) Germ cell tumors of the testis and mediastinum: A comparative immunohistochemical study of 100 cases. Hum Pathol 29:737–742

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Moran CA, Suster S (1998) Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum: A review. Adv Anat Pathol 5:1–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Dominguez H, Valdez AM, Moran CA, Suster S (2007) Germ cell tumors with sarcomatous component: A clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 46 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 31:1356–1362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Suster S, Moran CA, Koss MN (1994) Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the anterior mediastinum. Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural analysis of 12 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 18:871–881

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Suster S, Moran CA (1995) Chordomas of the mediastinum: Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of six cases presenting as posterior mediastinal masses. Hum Pathol 26:1354–1362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Suster S, Moran CA, Koss MN (1994) Rhabdomyosarcomas of the anterior mediastinum: Report of four cases unassociated with germ cell, teratomatous, or thymic carcinomatous components. Hum Pathol 25:349–356

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Flieder DB, Moran CA, Suster S (1997) Primary alveolar soft part sarcoma of the mediastinum: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of two cases. Histopathology 31:469–473

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Suster S, Moran CA (1997) Malignant cartilaginous tumors of the mediastinum: Clinicopathological study of six cases presenting as extraskeletal soft tissue masses. Hum Pathol 28:588–594

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Klimstra D, Moran CA, Koss MN, Rosai J (1995) Primary liposarcomas of the mediastinum: A study of 27 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 19:782–791

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Moran CA, Suster S, Perino G et al (1994) Benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors of the mediastinum. Cancer 74:2251–2260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Suster S, Moran CA (2005) Primary synovial sarcomas of the anterior mediastinum. Am J Surg Pathol 29:569–578

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Witkin GB, Rosai J (1989) Solitary fibrous tumor of the mediastinum. Am J Surg Pathol 13:547–557

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Moran CA, Suster S, Koss MN (1992) The spectrum of histologic growth patterns in benign and malignant fibrous tumors of the pleura. Sem Diagn Pathol 9:169–180

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Lichtenstein AK, Levine A, Taylor CR (1980) Primary mediastinal lymphoma in adults. Am J Med 68:509–514

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Perrone T. Frizzera G, Rosai J (1986) Mediastinal diffuse large cell lymphoma with sclerosis. A clinicopathologic study of 60 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 10:176–191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Davies RE, Dorfman RF, Warnke RA (1990) Primary large cell lymphoma of the thymus: A diffuse B-cell neoplasm presenting as primary mediastinal lymphoma. Hum Pathol 21:1262–1268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Moller P, Lammler B, Eberlein-Gonska M (1986) Primary mediastinal clear cell lymphoma of B-cell type. Virchows Arch [A] 409:79–92

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Suster S (1992) Large cell lymphoma with marked tropism for germinal centers. Cancer 69:2910–2916

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Suster S, Moran CA (1990) Pleomorphic large cell lymphomas of the mediastinum. Am J Surg Pathol 20:224–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Isaacswon PG, Chan KKC, Tang C (1990) Low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue arising in the thymus. Am J Surg Pathol 14:342–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Strickler JG, Kurtin PJ (1991) Mediastinal lymphoma. Sem Diag Pathol 8:2–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Thoracic Pathology, University of Texas Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX, USA

    Cesar A. Moran

Authors
  1. Cesar A. Moran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery and Surgical Specialities Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia General Hospital, Modena, Italy

    Corrado Lavini  & Uliano Morandi  & 

  2. Institute of Thoracic Pathology, University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Cesar A. Moran

  3. Division of Neurology, Bolzano Hospital, Bolzano, Italy

    Rudolf Schoenhuber

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer-Verlag Italia

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Moran, C.A. (2008). Benign and Malignant Tumors. In: Lavini, C., Moran, C.A., Morandi, U., Schoenhuber, R. (eds) Thymus Gland Pathology. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0828-1_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-0828-1_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0827-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-0828-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation