Ryu Kanzaki1,2, Takashi Kanou1,2, Naoko Ose1,2, Soichiro Funaki1,2, Yasushi Shintani1,2, Masato Minami1,2, Hiroshi Kida2,3, Kazuhiko Ogawa2,4, Atsushi Kumanogoh2,3, Meinoshin Okumura1,2. 1. Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. 2. Respiratory Center, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, Japan. 3. Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. 4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The results of preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced thymoma were analysed. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2016, 29 patients with a thymoma underwent preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The study population included 9 men and 20 women, with a mean age of 48.8 years (range 31-68 years). The preoperative Masaoka stage was III in 12, IVa in 13 and IVb in 4 patients, whereas histological type was B3 in 11, B2 in 9 and others in 5 patients. The mean tumour size was 8.0 ± 2.5 cm (3.4-15.0 cm). The site of infiltration shown in preoperative radiological examinations was the aorta in 6 patients, the superior vena cava in 14 patients and the pulmonary artery trunk in 3 patients, with pleural dissemination detected in 14. Three patients underwent chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens given were cisplatin + doxorubicin + vincristine + cyclophosphamide in 9 patients, carboplatin + paclitaxel in 6 patients, cisplatin + doxorubicin + methylprednisolone in 5 patients and others in 9 patients, with partial response obtained in 11 patients and stable disease noted in 18 patients. Complete resection was achieved in 24 (83%) cases. There were no perioperative mortalities, whereas 6 (21%) patients developed postoperative complications. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 100% and 87%, respectively, and 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 50% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced thymoma can be performed with an acceptable degree of surgical risk. Such a strategy should be proactively considered, as it can lead to favourable long-term results.
OBJECTIVES: The results of preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced thymoma were analysed. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2016, 29 patients with a thymoma underwent preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The study population included 9 men and 20 women, with a mean age of 48.8 years (range 31-68 years). The preoperative Masaoka stage was III in 12, IVa in 13 and IVb in 4 patients, whereas histological type was B3 in 11, B2 in 9 and others in 5 patients. The mean tumour size was 8.0 ± 2.5 cm (3.4-15.0 cm). The site of infiltration shown in preoperative radiological examinations was the aorta in 6 patients, the superior vena cava in 14 patients and the pulmonary artery trunk in 3 patients, with pleural dissemination detected in 14. Three patients underwent chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens given were cisplatin + doxorubicin + vincristine + cyclophosphamide in 9 patients, carboplatin + paclitaxel in 6 patients, cisplatin + doxorubicin + methylprednisolone in 5 patients and others in 9 patients, with partial response obtained in 11 patients and stable disease noted in 18 patients. Complete resection was achieved in 24 (83%) cases. There were no perioperative mortalities, whereas 6 (21%) patients developed postoperative complications. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 100% and 87%, respectively, and 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 50% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced thymoma can be performed with an acceptable degree of surgical risk. Such a strategy should be proactively considered, as it can lead to favourable long-term results.