Anterior Mediastinal Mass in a Young Female with Sickle Cell Disease: A Rare Presentation of Thymoma

Abstract

Background: Thymomas are rare epithelial tumours of the thymus, comprising 0.2-1.5% of all malignancies. Although typically indolent, they can lead to severe complications due to local invasion. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 28-year-old female with a known history of sickle cell disease, who presented with acute chest pain and exertional dyspnoea. Imaging revealed a well-defined anterior mediastinal mass extending to the right cardio phrenic angle. Surgical excision via midline sternotomy was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed a type B2 thymoma. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful, with no signs of recurrence at follow-up. The tumour demonstrated typical histological features of type B2 thymoma, including epithelial cells with vesicular nuclei and abundant mature lymphocytes. Conclusion: This case highlights a rare presentation of thymoma in a young patient with underlying hemoglobinopathy. Early diagnosis and complete surgical excision are essential for favourable outcomes in thymoma cases, particularly when associated with atypical presentations.