THYMIC CARCINOMA - CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW

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.