Chemotherapy of thymic carcinoma: analysis of seven cases and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Thymic carcinoma has a dismal prognosis compared with thymoma, because most of such tumors have locoregional invasion when diagnosed. Thus the important step in the management of thymic carcinoma is the introduction of systemic chemotherapy. However, as thymic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm, treatment with chemotherapy has not been studied systematically.


METHODS
We analyzed seven cases of primary thymic carcinoma, treated with various chemotherapy regimens in our hospital from 1990 to 1999, and carried out a literature review of case reports of thymic carcinoma successfully treated with chemotherapy.


RESULTS
All four cases who received modified ADOC therapy obtained partial responses. Other chemotherapeutic regimens (CHOP-E, PVB) were not effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this study and the literature review, we feel that a positive response is obtainable with chemotherapy for thymic carcinoma. Modified ADOC therapy showed consistent efficacy in thymic carcinoma in this study.
Kitami
A
A
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan. kitami.a@showa-university-fujigaoka.gr.jp
Suzuki
T
T
Kamio
Y
Y
Suzuki
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013945:Thymoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin