Thymus has been regarded as an important organ in its endocrinologic and
immunologic role. The natural history and associated syndrome of its neoplasm is not
still uncovered completely.
We studies the clinicopathologic features of 14cases of thymoma.
1) The thymomas occurred largely in the fifth decade with slight male preponderance.
Nine patients complained of compression symptoms, three myathenic symtoms, and two
no subjective symptoms. Four thymomas were associated with myasthenia gravis.
2) The thymomas were located in the anterior mediastinum and 5 to 17 ㎝ in its
largest diameter. Groslsy 7 thymomas were encapsulated. Gross tumor invasion or
implants was noted in 8 cases, most frequently into the pleura. Encapsulation was
inversely correlated with gross invasion or implants.
3) Five of the thymomas were predominant epithelial type, 3 predominant lymphocytic
type, 4 mixed type, and 2 spindle cell type.
4) Among 8 cases which showed gross invasion or implants only 4 cases showed
malignant histologic pictures.
In conclusion the diagnosis of thymoma should be made on the basis of not only
histologic features but also clinical findings including operation findings.
|