Minimally invasive resection of synchronous triple primary tumors of the esophagus, lung, and thymus: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Reports of synchronous multiple primary tumors are very rare. We report a case of synchronous esophagus and lung cancer combined with thymoma treated with a minimally invasive approach. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In a 63-year-old patient, cT2 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was found. Chest computed tomography revealed a lesion in the right upper lobe combined with an antero-superior mediastinal mass. She was treated with one-stage bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic + laparoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection and lobectomy with complete lymphadenectomy followed by thymomectomy and demonstrated a favorable response at early follow-up, without severe adverse surgical complications and evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis. But the long-term follow-up is still needed for the evaluation of therapeutic effects of surgery. DISCUSSION: In the diagnostic procedure we excluded the probability of esophageal carcinoma metastasizing to the lung. Considering the patient's physical condition permit, we performed a minimally invasive surgery for three tumors. Besides, suitable operative incisions are important for the success of surgery. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report in which simultaneous minimally invasive resection of esophagus and lung cancer combined with thymoma.