title: [Thymoma].
abstract: Thymoma is a rare epithelial tumor of the thymus, but the most common malignancy in the anterior mediastinum. A unique feature is its association with paraneoplastic syndromes, in particular myasthenia gravis. According to the WHO classification 6 histologic types of thymic epithelial tumors can be discriminated. Tumor stage according to MASAOKA is the most important prognostic factor. Non-invasive tumors (stage I) are usually completely resected and no further therapy is warranted. For incompletely resected tumors and locally advanced invasive thymomas (stage Ill-IV) postoperative radiotherapy with 50-60 Gy is advisable. Chemotherapy, preferably with Cisplatinum, is indicated with inoperable thymomas or metastatic disease. In general thymomas have a fair prognosis even in advanced stage. Long term follow-up is mandatory up to 10 years.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland. gripp@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gripp
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bölke
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orth
mesh_terms: D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*