Ectopic hamartomatous thymoma: Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and histogenetic considerations in four new cases

Abstract

Four new cases of ectopic hamartomatous thymoma are presented. The tumor occurred either superficially or deep in the area of the sternoclavicular joint and consisted of solid islands of squamous epithelium which blended with spindled cells. Cysts lined by squamous epithelium, small glands, and fat also occurred in variable amounts. Both the spindled and epithelial regions of the tumor expressed keratin and muscle actin, but neither desmin nor S100 protein. The tumor probably originates from thymic analage associated with the third pharyngeal pouch (thymus III), although origin from other structures such as thymus IV and the cervical sinus of His are discussed. Our experience indicates that the large size and extreme cellularity of the spindled portion of some tumors may result in the mistaken diagnosis of sarcoma.