METASTATIC THYMIC CARCINOMA OF SCALP: A CASE REPORT

BACKGROUND Thymic carcinomas are epithelial neoplasm of the thymus exhibiting clear malignant cytologic or architectural features. Extrathoracic metastasis of thymic carcinomas are rare. CASE REPORT A 42-year-old male diagnosed with thymic carcinoma six months back and who had completed three cycles of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin and on palliative radiotherapy was referred to the Department of Surgery with painful swelling on the temporal aspect of scalp. Microscopic examination showed highly cellular smears consisting of oval-to-spindle shaped cells mixed with larger epithelial cells. CONCLUSION The case highlights an occurrence of distant metastasis of thymic carcinoma to an unusual site. We wish to emphasize the role of cytology in early diagnosis of scalp swellings with metastasis from rare or unusual malignancies.