The hidden tumour: giant anterior mediastinal thymolipoma, an incidental finding

Banyameen Iqbal; Mangesh Machindra Londhe; Sushama Gurwale; Pragati Gupta

doi:10.5114/pjp.2026.161537

eISSN: 2084-9869
ISSN: 1233-9687

Polish Journal of Pathology

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abstract:

Short communication

The hidden tumour: giant anterior mediastinal thymolipoma, an incidental finding

Banyameen Iqbal

¹

,

Mangesh Machindra Londhe

¹

,

Sushama Gurwale

¹

,

Pragati Gupta

¹

Dr. D.Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Pol J Pathol 2026; 77 (1)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/pjp.2026.161537

Online publish date: 2026/05/06

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Thymolipoma is an uncommon, non-malignant mediastinal mass characterized by a mixture of mature fat and normal thymic tissue. It typically grows slowly and is often asymptomatic until it reaches a large size, causing compressive symptoms. We report on a 19-year-old woman who sought medical attention for chest pain, dyspnoea, and anterior chest swelling. Imaging revealed a well-defined anterior mediastinal mass, and surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination showed a well-encapsulated lesion with mature adipose tissue admixed with normal thymic parenchyma containing Hassall’s corpuscles, confirming the diagnosis of thymolipoma. Complete surgical resection is both diagnostic and curative, with an excellent prognosis and negligible recurrence risk. Our findings underscore the importance of recognizing thymolipoma as a potential cause of anterior mediastinal masses, thereby preventing unnecessary radical treatment.

keywords:

The hidden tumour: giant anterior mediastinal thymolipoma, an incidental finding

Banyameen Iqbal 1 , Mangesh Machindra Londhe 1 , Sushama Gurwale 1 , Pragati Gupta 1

thymolipoma, mediastinal mass, anterior mediastinum, incidental finding, rare tumour

Banyameen Iqbal

¹

,

Mangesh Machindra Londhe

¹

,

Sushama Gurwale

¹

,

Pragati Gupta

¹