Enbloc resection of the largest thymic liposarcoma: A case report with literature review

Abstract

Introduction Liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue tumor which is commonly found in the retroperitoneal region. This kind of tumor is usually well-differentiated with low to no potential to metastasize. Thymoliposarcomas are extremely rare tumors that are difficult to diagnose and differentiate from thymomas and other benign conditions . Presentation of a case:This report presents a case of a 46-year-old male patient with dyspnea, generalized fatigue and non-specific chest pain caused by a giant anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography scan revealed a large mass in the anterior mediastinum. CT guided biopsy was consistent with thymolipoma. The tumor was surgically resected. The histological analysis of the tumor revealed thymoliposarcoma. Discussion:Thymoliposarcoma usually presents with non-specific symptoms. The mean age of the diagnosis is 55.8 years old with a slight predominance in males. The corner stone of the treatment remains surgical excision of the tumor while the role of adjuvant therapy is not well documented.

Surgical resection of a giant thymolipoma causing respiratory failure: A case report

“…Surgical resection is the only curative treatment for thymolipomas, and depending on the tumor size and site, various surgical approaches have been reported, including thoracotomy, sternotomy, and video-assisted thoracoscopy[ 1 , 4 ]. The largest resected thymolipoma and thymic liposarcoma previously reported in the literature weighed 6 kg[ 19 ] and 5 kg[ 9 ], respectively. In our report, the patient’s tumor weighed more than 7 kg, it compressed most of the lungs, and the patient’s preoperative oxygen saturation was less than 90%.…”

“…Here, we report a case of thymolipoma in a 23-year-old male. The tumor weighed more than 7 kg, and to our knowledge, it was the largest reported excised tumor of thymic origin, including various benign and malignant thymic neoplasms[ 5 - 9 ]. The mass was too large for en bloc resection by a sternotomy, so a posterolateral incision for piecemeal resection was selected as the surgical technique.…”