Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma. Report of a case with fine needle aspiration biopsy findings
Hirokawa, M.; Tadaoka, Y.; Shimizu, M.; Monobe, Y.; Kanahara, T.; Manabe, T.
Acta Cytologica 43(2): 232-234
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5547 PMID: 10097715 Document Number: 506112
BACKGROUND: Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma is a rare, benign tumor occurring exclusively in the supraclavicular and suprasternal regions. To the best of our knowledge, there are no English-language reports on its cytologic findings. CASE: A fine needle aspiration specimen from a mass in the suprasternal region in a 63-year-old male revealed epithelial cell nests, spindle cells, a cluster of mature adipocytes and a small number of lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Although ectopic hamartomatous thymoma is very rare, fine needle aspiration cytology may contribute to the correct diagnosis in conjunction with the characteristic clinical findings.