Metastatic thymic carcinoid: a case report

Am Surg. 2005 Jul;71(7):578-80.

Abstract

Thymic neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid) are rare tumors. They have malignant potential, the capacity for distant metastasis, and often present with associated endocrinopathies. This report describes a patient who was diagnosed with thymic carcinoid and Cushing syndrome at age 19 that, despite complete surgical excision of his tumor, developed local recurrence with distant metastases to his brain, lungs, and bone. We discuss the evolution of this patient's illness as well as the therapies used in his care. Due to the nature of these tumors to recur both locally and distant, the importance of aggressive surgical management is emphasized. We also discuss the role of adjuvant therapy, which in our case consisted of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and several new therapies including an antiangiogenesis agent and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bone Neoplasms / therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / surgery*
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / therapy
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Thymectomy / methods
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery