Fine needle aspiration cytology of thymoma
Tangthangtham, A.; Chonmaitri, I.; Subhannachart, P.; Tungsagunwattana, S.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 82(12): 1226-1229
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 10659565 Document Number: 6812
Thymoma is the 2nd most common mediastinal tumor found in Thai people. Cytologically it has a characteristic biphasic cell pattern and can be differentiated from other mediastinal lesions. We reviewed 14 aspirated samples, initially diagnosed as thymoma among a total of 80 mediastinal aspirations, obtained during a period of 6 years. Revised cytologic diagnosis was made and compared with histopathology from needle biopsy, surgical biopsy and surgical removal in each case. All cytologic samples revealed a mixture of epithelial cells and lymphocytes in varying proportions. Histopathologic samples were available in 13 patients and showed 12 thymomas and 1 immature teratoma. While all thymomas revealed characteristic cytologic features, a case of mediastinal immature teratoma with unsatisfactory aspirated sample revealed resembling features and it was very difficult to differentiate such a tumor from thymoma.
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