Atypical thymoma (epithelial-rich thymoma, well-differentiated thymic carcinoma, WHO type B3 thymoma): A conundrum. 2023

Annikka Weissferdt, and Cesar A Moran
Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: aweissferdt@mdanderson.org.

Thymomas composed predominantly of epithelioid tumor cells with scattered lymphocytes have been well recognized in the literature. This subtype of thymoma has been variously termed epithelial-rich thymoma, well-differentiated thymic carcinoma, atypical thymoma, or World Health Organization (WHO) type B3 thymoma. Regardless of the designation however, these tumors are known to show a spectrum of histopathological growth patterns that may pose challenges in interpretation and diagnosis, particularly when dealing with small mediastinoscopic biopsies. Just like any other type of thymoma, those composed predominantly of epithelioid cells may present as encapsulated or invasive tumors. Nevertheless, compared to other subtypes of thymoma, they are uncommon neoplasms. Therefore, it becomes very important to sufficiently sample thymomas before making a diagnosis of a particular subtype, especially when the tumor is rich in epithelioid cells and only has a scant lymphocytic component. Because of the unusual occurrence of these tumors, there are only few large series of cases that attempt to highlight not only the more salient histopathological features but also the most important immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001706 Biopsy Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body. Biopsies
D013945 Thymoma A neoplasm originating from thymic tissue, usually benign, and frequently encapsulated. Although it is occasionally invasive, metastases are extremely rare. It consists of any type of thymic epithelial cell as well as lymphocytes that are usually abundant. Malignant lymphomas that involve the thymus, e.g., lymphosarcoma, Hodgkin's disease (previously termed granulomatous thymoma), should not be regarded as thymoma. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Carcinoma, Thymic,Carcinomas, Thymic,Thymic Carcinoma,Thymic Carcinomas,Thymomas
D013953 Thymus Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the THYMUS GLAND. Cancer of Thymus,Thymus Cancer,Thymus Tumors,Cancer of the Thymus,Neoplasms, Thymic,Neoplasms, Thymus,Thymic Cancer,Thymic Neoplasms,Thymic Tumors,Cancer, Thymic,Cancer, Thymus,Cancers, Thymic,Cancers, Thymus,Neoplasm, Thymic,Neoplasm, Thymus,Thymic Cancers,Thymic Neoplasm,Thymic Tumor,Thymus Cancers,Thymus Neoplasm,Thymus Tumor,Tumor, Thymic,Tumor, Thymus,Tumors, Thymic,Tumors, Thymus
D014944 World Health Organization A specialized agency of the United Nations designed as a coordinating authority on international health work; its aim is to promote the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all peoples. Organization, World Health,WHO

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