[A case of adenocarcinoma of the thymus]

Abstract

We report an adenocarcinoma of the thymus in a 39-year-old male. The patient presented with chest pain, and the chest X-ray film and chest CT showed an abnormal mass in the mediastinum. A preoperative clinical diagnosis of invasive thymoma was suspected. The tumor was resected along with the pleura and pericardium. The pathological findings were compatible with those of adenocarcinoma of the thymus. Despite a thorough examination, no primary tumor could be found. An adenocarcinoma of the thymus is rare and to the authors knowledge there are few previous reports in the literature.