Thymic carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the thymic epithelium
, distinguished from invasive thymoma by the presence of malignant cyt
ology and a greater incidence of local invasion and embolic metastases
. Some common features of thymic carcinomas include (a) large and high
ly aggressive anterior mediastinal mass; (b) area, of necrosis, hemorr
hage, calcification, or cyst formation; (c) gross invasion of contiguo
us mediastinal structures and wide spread to involve distant intrathor
acic sites; (d) high incidence of extrathoracic metastases; (e) broad
age range, with an average of 46 years; (f) very low incidence of para
neoplastic syndromes; and (g) very poor prognosis. Three case reports
are presented, followed by an overview of the disease with emphasis on
the radiographic features.