A basaloid carcinoma with multilocular thymic cyst mimicking a mediastinal teratoma.

This case report details a rare thymic basaloid carcinoma initially misinterpreted as a mediastinal teratoma, underscoring the diagnostic challenges posed by such tumors. A 71-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic anterior mediastinal tumor discovered incidentally during a routine health examination. Surgical intervention, followed by pathological and immunohistochemical analysis including CK-pan, p63, p40, and CD117 molecules, led to a definitive diagnosis of basaloid carcinoma of the thymus. This case highlights the critical importance of differential diagnosis in mediastinal lesions, especially those presenting with multilocular thymic cysts on chest CT. The subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery enabled complete tumor resection with minimal trauma and favorable postoperative outcomes. The patient opted against further radiotherapy or chemotherapy and she has survived for over eight months without recurrence. This case report contributes to the growing understanding of thymic basaloid carcinoma, a rare and potentially aggressive thymic carcinoma subtype. It emphasizes the necessity for precise surgical techniques and enhanced diagnostic acumen among cardiothoracic surgeons and oncologists.

Posterior mediastinal leiomyosarcoma: Case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Posterior mediastinal leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with no special clinical symptoms, which is easily confused with some common tumors in the posterior mediastinum, affecting the accuracy of the first diagnosis by clinicians and delaying the treatment of patients. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 59-year-old woman with a space-occupying lesion in the posterior mediastinum. The patient was mistakenly diagnosed with lumbar muscle or vertebral body lesions due to chest and back pain and underwent conservative treatment, but her symptoms did not improve significantly and she gradually developed pain in both lower limbs. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan indicated the left lower lung paraspinal space and underwent standard single-aperture video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), which was pathologically confirmed as posterior mediastinal leiomyosarcoma. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection of posterior mediastinal leiomyosarcoma can achieve good clinical results.

Mediastinal Germ-cell Tumors Relapse in a Male With Klinefelter Syndrome. Is Longer Surveillance Needed?

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of pediatric cancers. In up to one-third of male patients, a primary mediastinal location is associated with the presence of Klinefelter syndrome (KS). We describe a case of mediastinal GCT in a patient, with unacknowledged KS, that presented a relapse 7 years from diagnosis, that is, 2 years after the end of the follow-up program usually recommended for patients with GCT. There are no recommendations for screening for KS in patients with mediastinal GCT and there are no specific guidelines for surveillance of GCT in KS patients. Our experience suggests that KS should be suspected in patients with mediastinal GCT, and a longer follow-up plan should be implemented when GCT occurs in patients with KS.

Huge mediastinal ancient schwannoma causing acute respiratory failure: a case report.

Benign mediastinal tumor is usually asymptomatic and exhibits uncomplicated clinical course. Posterior mediastinal schwannoma is common, but a huge benign tumor causing acute respiratory failure due to mass effect is unusual. We present a patient who suffered from acute respiratory failure due to huge mediastinal mass effect and improved after en bloc surgical resection. A 56-year-old woman had no history of systemic disease, but experienced general discomfort and malaise for several months. She was referred to our emergency department after developing sudden respiratory failure. Intubation was performed with ventilator support and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Chest radiograph and computed tomography showed a huge mass over the left pleural cavity causing left lung, heart, and mediastinal compression. After en bloc resection, she was weaned off the ventilator successfully and was discharged at 24 days after the operation. Postoperative outpatient follow-up showed no symptoms. Mediastinal ancient schwannoma is a rare posterior mediastinal benign tumor. However, mass effect might lead to lethal complications. En bloc resection is necessary for curative treatment.

Sarcoma folicular de células dendríticas mediastinal: primer reporte de caso en Costa Rica / Mediastinal Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: First Case Report in Costa Rica

El sarcoma folicular de células dendríticas (SFCD) es una neoplasia maligna rara derivada de las células dendríticas foliculares. Ha sido clasificado, dadas sus características inmunohistoquímicas, como parte del grupo de los sarcomas, donde representa un porcentaje menor al 1%. Actualmente, existen menos de 1.000 reportes en la literatura a nivel mundial, lo cual plantea una dificultad no sólo diagnóstica, siendo confundido frecuentemente con neoplasias de tipo linfoide; sino también terapéutica al no existir un claro consenso sobre su manejo definitivo. Esta revisión de caso clínico describe el primer caso reportado de SFCD en Costa Rica.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (SFCD) is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from follicular dendritic cells, which has been classified, given its immunohistochemical characteristics, as part of the group of sarcomas, where it represents less than 1%. Currently, there are less than 1000 reports in the literature worldwide, which generates a difficulty not only in diagnosis, being frequently confused with lymphoid type neoplasms; but also, as therapeutic as there is no clear consensus on its definitive management. This clinical case review describes the first reported case of SFCD in Costa Rica.

Identificación de las características de los ganglios evaluados en el procedimiento EBUS y su relación con el diagnóstico de malignidad en instituto de alta complejidad en cáncer / Identification of the Characteristics of the Lymph Nodes Evaluated in the EBUS Procedure and their Relationship with the Diagnosis of Malignancy in a Highly Complex Cancer Institute

Introducción: La EBUS ha sido el foco de numerosos estudios destinados a evaluar su utilidad y rendimiento diagnóstico en diversas patologías. Objetivo principal: Identificación de las características ganglionares evaluadas en el procedimiento de Ultrasonido Endobronquial (EBUS) y su relación con el diagnóstico de malignidad en pacientes del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer de Colombia del 1 de enero de 2017 al 31 de marzo de 2021.Métodos: Estudio analítico observacional transversal. La recopilación de datos implicó un muestreo de casos consecutivos no probabilísticos entre individuos que cumplían los criterios de inclusión.Resultados: Un total de 75 pacientes fueron sometidos a EBUS. Se identificaron 6 características ecográficas de los ganglios de la biopsia asociadas a malignidad destacándose los ganglios mayores de 1 cm, márgenes mal definidos, ecogenicidad heterogénea, ausencia de una estructura hiliar central, presencia de signos de necrosis o coagulación y presencia de conglomerado ganglionar. Conclusión: Este estudio caracterizó la frecuencia de los hallazgos en la ultrasonografía endobronquial destacando algunas características ecográficas de los ganglios mediastínicos que podrían predecir patología maligna.

Introduction: The EBUS has been the focus of numerous studies aiming to evaluate its utility and diagnostic performance across various pathologies. Objective: Identification of the node characteristics evaluated in the Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) procedure and their relationship with malignancy diagnosis in patients at the National Cancer Institute of Colombia from January 1st, 2017, to March 31st, 2021. Methods: Observational cross-sectional analytical study. Data collection involved non-probabilistic consecutive case sampling among individuals meeting the inclusion criteria.Results: A total of 75 patients underwent the EBUS procedure. Our findings revealed six predictors of malignancy based on sonographic features of biopsy nodes, including nodes larger than 1 cm, poorly defined margins, heterogeneous echogenicity, absence of a central hilar structure, presence of signs indicating necrosis or coagulation, and the presence of a ganglion conglomerate. Conclusions: This study showed that endobronchial ultrasonography has several sonographic characteristics at the time of evaluating mediastinal nodes that could predict malignant and benign pathology.

[Surgery for mediastinal teratoma containing pancreatic tissue]. / Khirurgiya teratomy sredosteniya, soderzhashchei tkan' podzheludochnoi zhelezy.

Surgery for mediastinal tumors is still one of the most difficult in modern medicine. This is due to vital organs and various nature of tumors in this area. Teratomas are relatively rare among mediastinal tumors. However, they have certain features that is important for treatment strategy and management of possible complications. This can complicate diagnostic algorithm, exclude transthoracic biopsy and contribute to active surgical approach even for benign process. Oncogenesis of teratoma has its own characteristics. Tissues of different organs are always present in this tumor. Among these, pancreatic tissue inclusions are rare. A few data in the world literature on the treatment of such patients do not allow to develop a universally accepted algorithm of diagnosis and treatment. The authors present two patients with mediastinal teratoma. The second patient had teratoma with pancreatic tissue. The authors discuss the diagnostic algorithm for similar cases. A special attention is paid to description of possible complications throughout long-term follow-up period. Surgical aspects including the choice of access and local spread of process (adhesions in the area of surgical interest) are considered. The report on the treatment of two patients with rare mediastinal tumors containing pancreatic tissue will be useful for primary care physicians, thoracic surgeons, oncologists and morphologists.

Surgical management of mediastinal mature cystic teratoma of the elderly remaining asymptomatic.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal teratoma is an uncommon disease, nevertheless they represent the most common mediastinal germ cell tumors. It may grow silently for several years and remain undiagnosed until the occurrence of a complication. AIM: The main aim of this article is to illustrate the silent evolution of an anterior mediastinal teratoma for over 70 years without presenting any notable complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 70-year-old female, treated for hypertension referred to our department for managing a voluminous mediastinal mass, discovered fortuitously by a general practitioner in a chest X-ray. The anamnesis didn't relate any chest pain, cough, dyspnea nor hemoptysis. The clinical examination, in particular pleuropulmonary, was unremarkable. The workup (Chest X-Ray and CT scan) demonstrated a voluminous pleural mass at the expense of the right mediastinal pleura, rounded in shape, with calcified wall and fluid content. Blood tests did not demonstrate eosinophilia, and hydatid IgG serology was negative. serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels were found to be normal. The patient subsequently underwent a right posterolateral thoracotomy with resection of the lesion. The mass was dissected very carefully and then resected in toto. The macroscopic and microscopic histological examination demonstrated a mature cystic teratoma. Surgical resection was an adequate treatment and the prognosis was excellent for the patient. CONCLUSION: Cystic mature teratomas are rare thoracic tumors, often recognized by radiological examination. This article relates the silent evolution that a teratoma could have, and the late appearance of symptoms that it could have.

Utility of Immunohistochemistry in the Diagnosis of Pleuropulmonary and Mediastinal Cancers: A Review and Update.

CONTEXT.­: Immunohistochemistry has become a valuable ancillary tool for the accurate classification of pleuropulmonary and mediastinal neoplasms necessary for therapeutic decisions and predicting prognostic outcome. Diagnostic accuracy has significantly improved because of the continuous discoveries of tumor-associated biomarkers and the development of effective immunohistochemical panels. OBJECTIVE.­: To increase the accuracy of diagnosis and classify pleuropulmonary neoplasms through immunohistochemistry. DATA SOURCES.­: Literature review and the author's research data and personal practice experience. CONCLUSIONS.­: This review article highlights that appropriately selecting immunohistochemical panels enables pathologists to effectively diagnose most primary pleuropulmonary neoplasms and differentiate primary lung tumors from a variety of metastatic tumors to the lung. Knowing the utilities and pitfalls of each tumor-associated biomarker is essential to avoid potential diagnostic errors.

Benign lesions of the mediastinum.

Mediastinal tumours represent a heterogeneous group of entities derived from the manifold structures located in or adjacent to the mediastinum. Due to the occurrence of some of these tumours in characteristic mediastinal compartments, an anatomical subdivision of the mediastinum in the prevascular (anterior), visceral (middle), and paravertebral (posterior) is helpful for the differential diagnosis. Benign anterior mediastinal tumours linked to an enlargement of the thymic gland mainly consist of thymic cysts and several types of thymic hyperplasia: true thymic hyperplasia, rebound hyperplasia, lymphofollicular hyperplasia, and so-called thymic hyperplasia with lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA)-like features. Mature teratomas, ectopic (para)thyroid tissue, and benign thymic tumours such as thymolipoma or thymofibrolipoma represent further typical tumours of the anterior mediastinum. Pericardial, bronchogenic, or oesophageal duplication cysts predominate in the middle mediastinum, whereas neurogenic tumours and myelolipomas are characteristic findings in the posterior compartment. Vascular tumours, lipomas, adenomatoid tumours, Castleman disease, or mediastinitis are further examples of less frequent tumours or tumorous lesions affecting the mediastinum. This review focuses on benign mediastinal lesions with an emphasis on benign tumours of the thymus. Besides histology, characteristic epidemiological and clinical aspects prerequisite for the correct diagnosis and patient management are discussed.

Primary germ cell tumours of the mediastinum: A review with emphasis on diagnostic challenges.

This article will review current aspects of the histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of primary mediastinal germ cell tumours (PMGCTs) as well as their aetiological, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features. PMGCTs represent an important differential diagnosis in the spectrum of mediastinal tumours, and their diagnosis is usually made on small tissue samples from core needle biopsies in combination with diagnostic imaging and serum tumour markers. As in lymphomas, a small biopsy is often the only viable tumour sample available from these patients, as they receive chemotherapy prior to eventual surgical resection. Pathologists therefore need to apply an efficient combination of immunohistochemical markers to confirm the diagnosis of a PMGCT and to exclude morphological mimics.

Neurogenic tumours of the posterior mediastinum and differential diagnosis considerations.

The mediastinal compartment harbours vital organs and structures, including the heart, great vessels, major airways, and thymus. These structures are embedded in and associated with soft-tissue elements consisting of adipose and fibro-collagenous tissue in which soft-tissue tumours may develop. A detailed inventory of soft-tissue tumours that may be encountered in the mediastinum based on the WHO 2013 classification was published in 2015. In addition, several comprehensive reviews on mediastinal soft-tissue pathology are available, including reviews focusing specifically on a single tumour type. This review will focus on primary neurogenic and spindle cell tumours of the somatic soft tissue of the posterior mediastinum and provide a discussion of the pertinent differential diagnoses.

Massive anterior mediastinal lipoma causing cardiac arrest in a middle-aged male: a case report and literature review.

Lipoma is a common benign soft tissue tumor, but its size and location can lead to serious issues. We report a case of a 48 year-old male patient who experienced sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital. After resuscitation and examination, we determined that this was due to a massive mediastinal lipoma compressing the lungs, leading to respiratory failure and pulmonary encephalopathy, ultimately resulting in cardiac arrest. This case serves as a reminder to promptly identify and manage chest lipomas to avoid compression and functional impairment of the respiratory system. Early evaluation and treatment of massive lipomas are crucial for preventing complications.

Middle mediastinal paraganglioma: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONAL: Paragangliomas are rare and can occur in many places throughout the body, but mediastinal paragangliomas are even rarer, accounting for less than 0.3% of mediastinal masses. Extremely susceptible to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, which may lead to the death of the patient. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of a giant paraganglioma of the middle mediastinum. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with a rib fracture and a chest computed tomography suggesting a giant occupying tumor in the middle mediastinum. DIAGNOSIS: Immunohistochemistry revealed positive for S100 fraction and Syn, focally positive for CgA, while negative for CKp and succinate dehydrogenase complex iron sulfur subunit B gene, and Ki67index ≈ 5%. The imaging and immunohistochemical features suggested a final diagnosis of Paragangliomas. INTERVENTIONS: This patient underwent lateral open heart surgery to remove a mediastinal mass. OUTCOMES: One month after being discharged, the patient was contacted by phone for a follow-up visit and reported feeling OK. Unfortunately, as of the date of submission, the patient did not come to our hospital for review. LESSONS: Mediastinal paraganglioma as a rare and potentially malignant tumor susceptible to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Organ pathology examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, and surgery is an important treatment method. A clear diagnosis and thorough preoperative examination are important guarantees for the success of surgery.

A massive immature mediastinal teratoma treated with chemotherapy and surgical resection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Teratoma is a type of germ cell tumor consisting of one or multiple tissues derived from germinal layers. The location and size of the tumor can cause various presentations. Here we report one of the largest ever cases of immature cystic teratoma. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we presented a 24-year-old patient with dyspnea, chest pain, nausea, and anorexia. A computed tomography scan revealed a giant, right-sided mass measuring about 190 × 150 × 140 mm. Chemotherapy was initiated for the patient, followed by thoracotomy. Histopathological evaluation revealed the nature of the mass to be an immature mediastinal teratoma. CONCLUSION: the incidence of immature mediastinal teratoma is uncommon, and due to its rarity, the diagnosis needs more profound evaluation studies such as radiological and pathological assessments. Immature teratomas are optimally treated by a combination of chemotherapy and complete resection.

Updates in the Management of Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma.

Primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is considered a distinct pathology according to the WHO classification of lymphoid malignancies. Patients have a better prognosis after the addition of Rituximab to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. The role of consolidative radiotherapy is controversial after the approval of dose-adjusted R-EPOCH and the selection of patients to undergo radiotherapy is based on end-of-therapy PET CT. In the relapsed/refractory setting, new approved drugs and other under investigation have improved patient outcomes. This review summarizes the different treatment modalities in (PMBCL) in the frontline and the relapsed/refractory settings.

Mediastinal large B cell lymphoma and surrounding gray areas: a report of the lymphoma workshop of the 20th meeting of the European Association for Haematopathology.

Session 3 of the 2021 European Association for Haematopathology/Society for Hematopathology Workshop focused on mediastinal large B cell lymphomas and surrounding gray areas. One half of the session was dedicated to primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBL) and included cases with classic clinicopathologic features, as well as cases with either morphologic or immunophenotypic variation, and PMBL-like cases with primary extramediastinal disease. The role of additional immunophenotyping and/or molecular testing to aid in the diagnosis of PMBL was discussed. The second half of the session focused on mediastinal and non-mediastinal gray zone lymphomas (GZL) with features intermediate between diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). Several cases illustrating the current challenges in separating this entity from PMBL/DLBCL and CHL were presented. There was discussion regarding the clinical and genetic differences between mediastinal and non-mediastinal GZLs. Rare cases of PMBL and GZL associated with EBV or follicular lymphoma were reviewed. Finally, several cases included in the session highlighted composite or sequential CHL and PMBL/DLBCL and/or GZL, highlighting challenges in separating such cases from GZL.

Mediastinal liposarcoma: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal Liposarcoma (ML) is an exceedingly rare neoplasm, accounting for less than 1% of all liposarcomas. Surgical resection is the most effective therapeutic modality, while adjuvant radiation therapy may be recommended for unresectable tumors. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report presents a rare case of a 52-year-old Syrian male patient with well-differentiated mediastinal liposarcoma (ML) who presented with exertional dyspnea, cough, and weight loss. Imaging studies revealed a large tumor causing extrinsic compression on the right lung, as well as compression of the heart and great vessels. CT-guided biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma, and the patient underwent surgical resection. The patient had a rapid postoperative recovery and was discharged on the fourth day post-operation, displaying an excellent postoperative status. The patient was followed up for 3 months postoperatively with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the significance of incorporating ML into the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses, particularly in individuals presenting with exertional dyspnea and weight loss. Furthermore, this report provides a comprehensive review of previously reported cases of ML in the medical literature.