A Rare Case of Primary Tubular Adenocarcinoma of the Thymus, Enteric Immunophenotype: A Case Study and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Thymic carcinomas are uncommon malignant tumors, and thymic adenocarcinomas are extremely rare. Here, we describe a case of primary thymic adenocarcinoma in a 59-year-old woman. Histological examination of the tumor revealed tubular morphology with expression of cytokeratin 20 and caudal-type homeobox 2 according to immunohistochemistry, suggesting enteric features. Extensive clinical and radiological studies excluded the possibility of an extrathymic primary tumor. A review of the literature revealed only two global cases of primary tubular adenocarcinomas of the thymus with enteric immunophenotype.

Keywords

• Thymus gland
• Adenocarcinoma
• Keratin-20
• Caudal type homeobox 2