Abstract

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 studied the clinicopathologic features of 14 cases of thymoma. 1) The thymomas occurred largely in the fifth decade with slight male preponderance. Nine patients complained of compression symptoms, three myathenic symptoms, and two no subiective symptoms. Four thymomas were associated with myasthenia gravis. 2) The thymomas were located in the anterior mediastinum and 5 to 17 cm its largest diameter. Grossly 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, 4mixed 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.