Carcinoid tumor of the thymus: a unique neoplasm of the mediastinum.

In this report, we describe a patient with a thymic carcinoid and the evolution of his disease for the past 5 years. Due to the distinct nature of thymic carcinoids, their unique biologic and endocrine properties, and the variety of available treatment options, it is important to differentiate this entity from other mediastinal tumors. The use of immunohistochemical studies or electron microscopy by the pathologist permits more accurate differentiation and diagnosis.