Primary Epithelial-myoepithelial Carcinoma of Thymus: First Case Report of the World and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical, imaging and pathological features of patients with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma(EMC). Methods The data of a patient with primary EMC of the thymus in Peking Union Medical College Hospital was retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results The patient was a middle-aged male diagnosed with primary EMC of the thymus, and he was the first case currently reported at home and abroad. Even though the patient received comprehensive treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and molecular targeted therapy, he still experienced disease progression, with a survival time of 22 months after surgery. Conclusions Primary EMC of the thymus is extremely rare and has atypical clinical manifestations. The diagnosis mainly depends on histopathological examination. Surgery is currently the major treatment and multidisciplinary treatment is very important to prolong the survival time of EMC patients.

Keywords

• epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma
• primary disease of thymus
• rare disease