[Effect of preoperative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for thymic carcinoma].
Ten cases of thymic carcinoma were operated in our hospital from 1975 to 2000. Preoperative concurrent chemo-radiotherapy was performed in 3 cases among them according to same protocol. The 3 patients had same poorly differentiated carcinomas. They underwent 2 courses of systemic chemotherapy [cisplatin (CDDP) + etoposide (VP-16)] with concurrent radiotherapy (40 Gy). We had one complete-response, one partial-response and one no-response by the induction therapy. Only the no-responder underwent one more course of chemotherapy [CDDP + gemcitabine (GEM)]. Operations were performed four weeks after the end of the induction therapy. All patients underwent complete resections, but the no-responder needed cardiopulmonary bypass for combined resection of right atrium. Two cases are living without recurrence more than 2 years and half, but the no-responder died from infection (empyema) at 34th postoperative day. Therefore, it was revealed that the induction concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for thymic carcinomas is extremely effective for some patients but invalid for other cases.
Abiko
M
M
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan.
Satoh
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D013945:Thymoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine