Abstract

 

Primary thymic carcinoma is a rare heterogeneous group of tumors of the anterior mediastinum with a poor overall prognosis. Lymphoepithelioma like carcinoma is an extremely rare subtype of thymic carcinoma.

A 14-year-old boy who was presented with chest pain and dyspneae had a mass lesion in the anterior mediastinum. The patient underwent right thoracotomy with mediastinal mass resection and wedge resection of the middle lobe. Macroscopically the resected mass measured 8x7x4 cm and surrounded partially by a capsule. Microscopic examination showed a syncytial growth of carcinoma cells accompained by a lymphoplasmacyctic infiltration in the thymic tissue. Lung parenchyma was infiltrated by the tumor cells but the cut margins were safe.

Following operation the patient had chemotherapy and radioterapy. Three years after operation, he is well without sign of recurrence. Because of its rarity we presented this case with literature.

Key Words: Thymus; Lymphoepithelioma Like Carcinoma; Differential Diagnosis.