Ectopic thymoma arising in the pleura: Diagnostic challenges and clinical implications: A case report

Radiol Case Rep. 2025 Nov 27;21(2):818-823. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2025.11.012. eCollection 2026 Feb.

Abstract

Thymoma is a rare tumor originating from the thymic epithelium, typically located in the anterior mediastinum. Ectopic thymomas are extremely uncommon and may occur in the neck, middle or posterior mediastinum, lung, or pleura. We report the case of a 62-year-old woman presenting with cough, weight loss, and asthenia. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a right pleural mass. Complete surgical resection was performed, and the postoperative diagnosis confirmed a WHO Type AB thymoma, classified as Masaoka-Koga stage IIa. Following surgery, she underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, and no recurrence was observed during follow-up.

Keywords: Ectopic mass; Myasthenia gravis; Pleura; Thymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports