Two Cases of Thymic Carcinoma Initially Presenting as Bone Metastasis: A Clinical Report and the Usefulness of CD5 Immunohistochemistry for Assessing Bone Lesions

Intern Med. 2015;54(14):1781-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4250. Epub 2015 Jul 15.

Abstract

Thymic carcinoma frequently spreads to the pleural space, regional lymph nodes, liver and lungs. However, an initial clinical presentation involving spinal or multiple bone metastases in patients with thymic carcinoma is extremely rare. We experienced two cases of thymic carcinoma that initially presented with spinal compression and severe pain due to multiple bone metastases, respectively. Both patients were histologically diagnosed with metastatic thymic squamous cell carcinoma based on the findings of specimens resected from the metastatic bone lesions. We herein describe the clinical courses of these cases and review the characteristics of bone metastasis of thymic carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Back Pain / etiology*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • CD5 Antigens / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thymoma / complications
  • Thymoma / diagnosis*
  • Thymoma / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • CD5 Antigens