Malignant fibrous histiocytoma originating from the thymus.

Abstract

A 63-year-old man with a history of acute coronary syndrome presented with anterior chest pain that had lasted more than 3 months. During treatment for acute myocardial infarction on admission, computed tomography (CT) was performed incidentally, revealing an anterior mediastinal tumor 28 mm in diameter. CT findings after 3 months demonstrated an anterior soft tissue mass involving the left brachiocephalic vein and showing rapid growth. Radical resection of the tumor with thymectomy was performed. Histological examination showed storiform-pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) originating from the thymus, and Hassall's bodies were identified. Immunohistochemical staining showed tumor cells with positive results for vimentin and CD68. The Ki-67 index (MIB-1) was >50%, but other markers such as cytokeratin AE1/AE3, smooth muscle actin, S-100 protein, CD34, and CD45 were negative. Mediastinum MFH has been reported in 34 cases, but this appears to be a rare description of MFH originating from the thymus.

• Authors: Kazuhiro Imai, Hajime Saito, Yoshihiro Minamiya, Masaji Hashimoto, Yoshihiko Kimura, Jun-ichi Ogawa
• Journal: General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery (Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg) Vol. 56 Issue 12 Pg. 606-9 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1863-6705 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 19085056 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Brachiocephalic Veins (pathology, surgery)
• Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous (diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Incidental Findings
• Male
• Mediastinal Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
• Thymectomy
• Thymus Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome