Two neoplasms rich in small lymphocytes, B1B2 thymoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma, intermingled in one tumor mass. A case report

Pol J Pathol. 2017;68(1):75-81. doi: 10.5114/pjp.2017.67620.

Abstract

We present a case of a 52-year-old man with myasthenia gravis and a mediastinal tumor who was admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment. The pathologic examination of the resected tumor revealed a very rare case of a collision tumor: a B1B2 thymoma and a small lymphocytic lymphoma. Flow cytometry of the peripheral blood revealed the presence of a small number of leukemic cells. After postoperative irradiation of the mediastinum and chemotherapy a complete response in both diseases was achieved. The case confirms that a pathologist should always be aware that two different neoplasms can coexist in rare cases.

Keywords: flow cytometry; immunohistochemistry; mediastinal tumors; small lymphocytic lymphoma; thymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Thymoma / pathology*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor