Thymoma: a pathological study of 50 cases.
BACKGROUND
A combination of epithelial cells and lymphocytes results in a varied histomorphology of thymomas and consequent varied classification systems.


OBJECTIVE
To correlate the Marino and Muller-Hermelink (MMH) classification with the invasive behaviour of thymomas.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Thymomas encountered in the past 21 years were re-classified with the MMH classification and correlated with Masaoka's staging and clinical presentation.


RESULTS
The thymomas formed 91% of the primary thymic epithelial tumours. Predominantly cortical thymomas (n=21) and cortical thymomas (n=22) were the common subtypes and 60% and 77% of these, respectively, were in stages II or III. Cystic change, necrosis or haemorrhage played no role in predicting invasive behaviour. Cortical epithelium correlated well with the presence of para-thymic syndromes, especially myasthenia gravis.


CONCLUSIONS
MMH classification is easy to apply. Cortical thymomas in stage I should be followed up for possible recurrence.
Vaideeswar
Pradeep
P
Department of Pathology (Cardiovascular and Thoracic Division), Seth G. S. Medical College, Mumbai, India. shreeprajai@yahoo.co.in
Padmanabhan
A
A
Deshpande
J R
JR
Pandit
S P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013945:Thymoma / Q000473:pathology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*