title: Thymoma.
abstract: A review of the evaluation, treatment, and end results for 52 patients with thymoma treated at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (1950-1984) is presented. The objective of the study was to examine the influence of a number of clinical characteristics on survival, including histologic and staging classifications, associated diseases, symptom status, and treatment. Forty-nine patients (94%) underwent surgical exploration; 13 were stage I, 12 were stage II, and 24 were stage III. Complete resection was accomplished in all of the stage I and II groups and in 6 of the stage III patients. An asymptomatic history, surgical stage I disease, lymphocytic thymoma cell type, and complete resection favorably influenced prognosis. The cumulative 5-year survival rate for all patients was 40%. No patient with stage I thymoma had recurrent disease, however, there were 9 recurrences (50%) in the completely resected stage II/III patients, six of whom remained disease-free following treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combined approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Couture
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Mountain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013945:Thymoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*