Chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma in an adult patient with HIV infection

A 69-year-old man was referred to our hospital in June 2010 after the diagnosis of an anterior mediastinal tumor and HIV infection. Histopathological examination of a CT-guided needle biopsy specimen showed undifferentiated thymic carcinoma. Chest CT revealed pleural dissemination, bone invasion, and left lung metastases. The final diagnosis was Masaoka stage IVb. Surgery was considered inappropriate. Instead, the patient first underwent highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection, followed by four courses of cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma. A partial response was achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first report of thymic carcinoma in an adult patient with HIV infection.