Mediastinum
Thymoma
Cystic thymoma
Author: Hanni Gulwani, M.B.B.S.
Last author update: 1 December 2012
Last staff update: 15 August 2022
Copyright: 2003-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Thymomas cystic mediastinum
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Clinical features | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Gulwani H. Cystic thymoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mediastinumcysticthymoma.html. Accessed June 1st, 2023.
Definition / general
- Cystic degeneration of thymoma in anterosuperior mediastinum
Clinical features
- Associated with paraneoplastic syndromes
Gross description
- Encapsulated, uniloculated or multiloculated
- Variable cystic contents
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Bland proliferation of thymic epithelium (spindle or polygonal cells) present in cyst wall
- Usually no cholesterol granulomas, no cartilage, no smooth muscle
Differential diagnosis
- Thymic cyst:
- No / minimal thymic epithelial cells in cyst wall; no evidence of thymoma
