title: [Thymic carcinoma effectively treated by preoperative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy].
abstract: A 59-year-old woman was admitted our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray film. A chest CT scan showed a large anterior mediastinal tumor and a pericardial effusion. Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed that the tumor was an advanced thymic cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). The patient underwent 1 course of systemic chemotherapy (CDDP + VDS) with concurrent radiation therapy (24 Gy). In addition, one more course of chemotherapy (CDDP + VDS) was given. A chest CT scan done after therapy showed an approximately 75% reduction in tumor size (partial response) and disappearance of the pericardial effusion. The levels of tumor markers (SCC 8.3 ng/ml, CYFRA 21-1 183 ng/ml) also decreased to within the normal range. Finally, the thymic carcinoma and small pulmonary metastatic lesions were all resected. Examination of the resected tumor revealed extensive necrosis and only a few cancer cells. These results show that concurrent chemo-radiation therapy can be effective against inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the thymus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Komatsushima Red Cross Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shirono
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014751:Vindesine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D014751:Vindesine