Open AccessARGYROPHILIC THYMIC CARCINOID ‐ CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY OF FOUR CASES
Author(s) -
Hosoda Syun,
Suzuki Harumi,
Kito Hanae,
Hial Hiroshi,
Akamine Yasusada,
Murakami Minoru,
Kosukegawa Katsuji,
Kato Nobuo,
Yura Jiro,
MIYACHI Yoji
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
acta patholigica japonica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 0001-6632
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1975.tb02002.x
Subject(s) - pathology , mediastinum , carcinoid tumors , endocrine system , histamine , metastasis , serotonin , medicine , biology , anatomy , cancer , receptor , hormone
Four cases of carcinoid tumor resting on the superior mediastinum were concluded to be of thymic origin by detecting thymic remnants, occasionally containing normal argyrophil cells, either attaching to tumor capsule or buried in the tumor tissue, and by denying possible mediastinal metastasis from bronchial carcinoid, except for one metastatic case. All the tumors were regarded as argyrophilic non‐argentamn carcinoid and had a tendency of invasive growth, though they grew slowly with clinical courses of long duration. From ultrastructural and biochemical analyses of one case, the carcinoid tumor occurring in thymus did not seem to produce any of the amines such as serotonin, histamine and dopamine, but may be possible to elaborate yet unrecognized endocrine substances relevant to inherent thymic functions. The twenty‐two cases previously recorded in the literature were reviewed and discussed, together with four cases presented here.