Initial chemotherapy followed by surgery in malignant thymoma.
Initial combination chemotherapy with cisplatinum, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide was given prior to surgery in a young woman with an unresectable malignant thymoma. Complete remission was achieved following three cycles of chemotherapy. Subsequent thymectomy revealed no evidence of residual malignancy. Prolonged remissions following cisplatin-based chemotherapy have recently been achieved in metastatic thymoma. Initial chemotherapy should now be considered prior to surgery or radiotherapy in those patients presenting with very bulky or unresectable disease.
Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Qld.
J F
JF
Mackintosh
G A
GA
Hawson
K S
KS
Matar
N G
NG
Johnston
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012074:Remission Induction; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents