Thymoma differential diagnosis

Thymoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Thymoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography and Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Thymoma differential diagnosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Thymoma differential diagnosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Thymoma differential diagnosis
CDC on Thymoma differential diagnosis
Thymoma differential diagnosis in the news
Blogs on Thymoma differential diagnosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Thymoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Thymoma differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amr Marawan, M.D. [2]

Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of thymomas types A, AB, B and thymic carcinomas.

Thymoma must be differentiated from other diseases such as:

• Thymic masses

• Thymic Cyst: It is incidental mass that may be congenital or acquired. It might contain parathyroid or salivary tissue, as they has a common embryological origin.
• Thymic hyperplasia: Resected only if associated paraneoplastic syndrome.
• Thymolipoma: Increased thymic size with mixed adipose tissue.
• Thymic carcinoma: Rare thymic tumor, poor survival rate, high rate of recurrence. Sometimes called type C thymoma.
• Thymic carcinoid: Also called thymic neuroendocrine tumors, uncommon and present as a mass in the anterior mediastinum.
• Ectopic parathyroid tissue.

• Germ cell tumors

• The most common site of extragonadal germ cell tumors is the mediastinum.
• Teratomas: Represents two thirds of mediastinal germ cell tumor. Usually benign, but when malignant, it's very aggressive and very poor prognosis.
• Dermoid cysts: Very rare tumor, only 118 cases have been reported.
• Malignant germ cell tumor: 90% of malignant mediastinal germ cell tumor occur in males. Full physical examination and scrotal ultrasound is required.
• Seminomas: Slightly more common, grow slowly but might reach large sizes.
• Non-seminomatous germ cell tumor: Consists of yolk sac tumor, embryonal cell carcinoma, and/or choriocarcinoma. Commonly between 20-40 years of age.

• Lymphoma (terrible, could be middle or posterior mediastinal too)

• Nodular sclerosing Hodgkin’s lymphoma and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma are the two common types that present in the mediastinum.
• Usually has systemic symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and night sweats and may also have other symptoms as chest pain, wheezing, dyspnea or superior vena cava syndrome.

• Thyroid (intrathyroid goitre)

• Grave's disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are usually associated with goitre.
• Presents with shortness of breath or dysphagia.