| Benign Thymoma
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Etiology
•Unknown
|
Pathogenesis
•Unknown,
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Epidemiology
•Benign thymomas are rare tumors and occur
predominantly in older adults.
|
General Gross Description
•Grossly, they are tan-white masses that can be as
large as 20 cm. in diameter.
•Solid and cystic areas, as well as areas of
calcification may be seen.
•The tumor itself is firmer than the normal thymic
parenchyma.
•Examples:
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General Microscopic Description
•Microscopically, a benign thymoma is composed of
epithelial cells that resemble medullary thymic
epithelium and have a tendency to a spindling pattern.
•Examples:
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Clinical Correlation
•There is relatively little clinical relevance to
benign thymomas, many of which are discovered
accidentally during cardiac surgery.
|
References
• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 1167
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| Benign Thymoma
| | Synopsis by: T.V.Rajan, M.D., Ph.D. (T98000M85800)[579]
| |