Multimodality treatment of neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus.
BACKGROUND
Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus are rare neoplasms. Four patients with this tumor who underwent multimodality treatment are presented and the literature is briefly reviewed.


METHODS
The medical records of all patients treated for neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus from 1979 to 2002 were reviewed. Tumors were classified using a slight modification of the World Health Organization criteria.


RESULTS
The patients' median age was 38 years. All patients underwent extensive excision of the tumor. Histological diagnosis was atypical carcinoid (2), typical carcinoid (1), and small cell carcinoma (1). All patients developed recurrence(s). One patient died 132 months after diagnosis. The remaining three patients are alive with no symptoms at 135, 99, and 35 months, respectively, after diagnosis. Two patients with recurrences have been on treatment with Octreotide LAR with satisfactory results. One patient is free of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus are potentially aggressive tumors. Radical resection is the treatment of choice. The encouraging results obtained by administration of Octreotide LAR in two of our patients warrant further investigation.
Dosios
T
T
Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Athens University, Greece. dosioth@internet.gr
Nikou
G C
GC
Toubanakis
C
C
Filippides
T
T
Papachristou
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D016708:Synaptophysin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase