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Predictors of survival following surgical resection of thymoma
Author(s) -
McCart J. Andrea,
Gaspar Laurie,
Inculet Richard,
Casson Alan G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930540409
Subject(s) - medicine , thymoma , resection , surgical resection , surgery , thymus neoplasm , thymectomy , myasthenia gravis
The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of long‐term survival following surgical resection of thymoma. Forty‐one patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of thymoma were evaluated and treated over a 30‐year period (1961 to 1991) at our institution. Seven patients (Masaoka stage III or IV) were unresectable and were treated by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, with an overall 5 year survival of 50%. Thirty‐four patients underwent primary surgical excision of the thymoma, most often through a median sternotomy, with 5‐ and 10‐year survivals of 90%. Complete excision of the thymoma was achieved in 31 patients with a median survival of 54 months vs. 17 months if incomplete. Independent prognostic factors influencing survival were stage, histology, and patients judged to have a benign thymoma at surgery. Although the thymoma was associated with myasthenia gravis (8 patients) and second primary cancers (8 patients), neither factor was associated with overall survival. We conclude that the most significant predictors of long‐term survival of thymoma include complete excision, Masaoka stage I disease, and lymphocytic histology. Multivariate analysis suggested that postoperative chemoradio‐therapy may impact on survival. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.