Carcinoid of Thymus : Spindle Cell Variant
Image Description
Several histologic variants of thymic carcinoids have been recognized, including spindle cell (shown here), oncocytic, pigmented, mucinous, angiomatoid, and with amyloid stroma.
The spindle cell variant has to be distinguished from spindle cell (type A) thymoma. The main distinguishing features from thymoma are : lack of lobulated architecture of thymoma; high vascularity; lack of lymphocytes and perivascular spaces of thymoma.
The spindle cell variant has to be distinguished from spindle cell (type A) thymoma. The main distinguishing features from thymoma are : lack of lobulated architecture of thymoma; high vascularity; lack of lymphocytes and perivascular spaces of thymoma.