INVASIVE THYMOMA: TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 26 patients with invasive thymoma irradiated in Istanbul University Institute of Oncology between 1985 and 1996 years for prognostic factors and treatment results. The patients were staged according to the Masaoka System. There were 8 stage II patients, 7 stage III, 8 stage IVa and 3 stage IVb disease. Gross total resections were performed in 17 cases, subtotal resections in 3 cases and in 6 cases a biopsy alone was performed. All patients received radiotherapy and 9 were given chemotherapy. Median follow up was 21 months. Patients' median survival was 60 months. Overall control rate within the radiation field was 80.8% (21 patients). Three factors could predict a better overall survival in the univariate analysis; gross total resection (P=0.03), stage II and III (P=0.02) and myasthenia gravies on presentation (P<0.001). There was no correlation with radiation dose and local control.