Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2014; 62(02): 153-160
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1322611
Original Thoracic
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas: Prognostic Factors and Multimodal Management

Bernhard Moser
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Margit Scharitzer
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Stefan Hacker
2   Medical University of Vienna—Plastic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Jan Ankersmit
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Jose Ramon Matilla
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Georg Lang
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Clemens Aigner
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Shahrokh Taghavi
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
,
Walter Klepetko
1   Medical University of Vienna—Thoracic Surgery Wien, Wien, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 January 2012

05 June 2012

Publication Date:
06 December 2012 (online)

Abstract

Background Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare malignant tumors. We report the experience with the resection and multimodal treatment at a single department in Central Europe in the years 2001 to 2010.

Objective We sought to determine prognostic factors in this patient population.

Methods A 10-year retrospective analysis of 84 resections on 72 patients for thymomas/thymic carcinomas or their recurrences was performed.

Results Patients admitted to a single thoracic surgery center presented with Masaoka–Koga stage I (29.2%), II (43.1%), III (13.9%), and IV (13.9%). In approximately 88.9% of cases, a complete resection could be reached. Using overall survival as an outcome measure, the 5-year survival rate was 87%. Of all the cases presented, 9.7% cases showed tumor recurrence and 6.9% cases showed tumor progression. There was decreased survival rate with increasing Masaoka–Koga stage (p = 0.017) and incomplete resection (p < 0.001).

Conclusion Completeness of resection and Masaoka–Koga stage were significant prognostic factors. Multidisciplinary treatments of patients with thymoma or thymic carcinoma result in good patient care, and global efforts with larger number of patients are needed to elucidate more about the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of these tumors.

 
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