Thymic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma – a rare and aggressive tumor: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundNeuroendocrine tumors are a large group of tumors with a wide spectrum of behavior, affecting mainly the digestive system and the lung. The thymus is very rarely affected.Case presentationA 28-year-old Arab woman presented with chronic chest pain and dyspnea. A computed tomography scan showed a huge anterior mediastinal mass invading neighboring structures. A mediastinotomy was performed with biopsies of the mass. Pathological findings were consistent with a thymic large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma.ConclusionsThe occurrence of a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the thymus, especially in young people, is extremely rare. In this current report, we discuss the clinicopathological issues of this rare tumor according to recent literature data.

Primary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the anterior mediastinum presenting with trepopnea

“…Since basaloid carcinoma is not a neuroendocrine tumour, it shows negative staining to chromogranin and synaptophysin and has positive expression for p40 and p63. Our case showed positive staining to neuroendocrine markers and was negative to p63 8. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is common among smokers but it does not stain positive for neuroendocrine markers.…”

Anterior Mediastinal Mass: Large Cell Neuroendocrine Tumour of the Thymus

“…Hence, this was likely thymic LCNEC instead of lung LCNEC. 6 Masaoka-Koga staging system was selected by the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) to stage thymic malignancies. In accordance to Masaoka-Koga stage, this tumour would represent Stage IVb.…”

Chest Pain

“…Mediastinal tumor causes with chronic CP [57] and worsening intermittent, chronic CP with recent progressive dysphagia, cough, and dyspnea [58].…”