Abstract |
Eighteen cases of primary thymic carcinoma were reviewed from the viewpoint of glandular differentiation. Squamous differentiation was evident in 14 cases (83%). Immunohistochemical study revealed secretory component (SC)-positive carcinoma cells in 12 cases (67%), most of which were also associated with squamous differentiation. Three of these 12 cases contained areas with a definite glandular or microcystic structure with occasional epithelial mucin, and were diagnosed as adenosquamous carcinoma. Review of patients' medical records revealed that thymic carcinomas with a glandular element were more often resectable at surgery, and had a much better prognosis than those without a glandular element. However, further study on larger number of cases is necessary to confirm this relationship. Because SC-positive epithelial cells do exist in the non-neoplastic thymus, the presence of a glandular component suggests another direction of morphological and/or functional differentiation of thymic carcinoma cells in addition to the well-known squamous differentiation.
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Authors | Y Matsuno, K Mukai, M Noguchi, Y Sato, Y Shimosato |
Journal | Acta pathologica japonica
(Acta Pathol Jpn)
Vol. 39
Issue 7
Pg. 433-8
(Jul 1989)
ISSN: 0001-6632 [Print] Australia |
PMID | 2477989
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Keratins
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Topics |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
(analysis)
- Carcinoma
(analysis, pathology, surgery)
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
(analysis, pathology)
- Cell Differentiation
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
(analysis, pathology)
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Keratins
(analysis)
- Prognosis
- Thymus Gland
(analysis, pathology)
- Thymus Neoplasms
(analysis, pathology, surgery)
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