Spine Metastasis of Thymic Carcinoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Thymic carcinoma metastases of the spinal column are very rare, especially in pediatric patients. To our knowledge, this is the first such pediatric case in the literature. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We report the case of a 14-year-old male patient with T12 and L1 metastases of thymic carcinoma. He had history of thymectomy and intrathoracic tumor resection 7 months previously. The patient’s neurological condition deteriorated; therefore, tumor resection and decompression of the spinal canal were performed. He underwent instrumentation and fusion procedures to prevent spinal instability. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The main purpose of the treatment is gross total resection of the thymic carcinoma. However, adjuvant methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be added to the treatment protocol in patients who have higher stage diseases or those in whom total tumor resection cannot be achieved.