CT scan of the chest revealing a large necrotic mass in the left anterior mediastinum (indicated by the red line). Histology later established the diagnosis of a<unk> . Another axial slice of a CT scan of the chest showing a small<unk>  anterior to the heart (marked with the red line). When a<unk>  is suspected, a CT/CAT scan is generally performed to estimate the size and extent of the tumor, and the lesion is sampled with a CT-guided needle biopsy. Increased vascular enhancement on CT scans can be indicative of malignancy, as can be pleural deposits. Limited biopsies are associated with a very small risk of pneumomediastinum or mediastinitis and an even-lower risk of damaging the heart or large blood vessels. Sometimes<unk>  metastasize for instance to the abdomen. The diagnosis is made via histologic examination by a pathologist, after obtaining a tissue sample of the mass. Final tumor classification and staging is accomplished pathologically after formal surgical removal of the thymic tumor. Selected laboratory tests can be used to look for associated problems or possible tumor spread. These include: full blood count, protein electrophoresis, antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (indicative of myasthenia), electrolytes, liver enzymes and renal function. Staging The Masaoka Staging System is used widely and is based on the anatomic extent of disease at the time of surgery: * I: Completely encapsulated * IIA: Microscopic invasion through the capsule into surrounding fatty tissue * IIB: Macroscopic invasion into capsule * III: Macroscopic invasion into adjacent organs * IVA: Pleural or pericardial implants * IVB: Lymphogenous or hematogenous metastasis to distant (extrathoracic) sites
Thymoma
Thyroid nodule
Lymphoma
Histiocytoma
Thyroid adenoma
Endemic goitre
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid lymphoma