Recurrence of thymoma: re-operation and outcome.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of recurrent thymomas remains still controversial.


METHODS
From 1972 to 2006, 265 (114 males and 118 females ) patients with thymoma underwent surgery at Catholic University of Sacred Heart. Twenty of these 265 patients developed a recurrence of the initial thymoma, and they represent the population of the present study.


RESULTS
One patient died of sudden death related to respiratory failure. The overall morbidity rate was 33% and the morbidity rate among myasthenic patients was 60%. 10 patients died during the follow-up; 2 of unrelated diseases, 2 of myasthenia gravis, and 6 of tumor growth. The overall actuarial survival rates were 43% and 37% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Recurrences never appeared in patients with I stage of Masaoka and in type A and AB.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the particular spread of thymoma and the encouraging results of the aggressive surgical approach, re-resection should be recommended in respectable recurrent thymomas.
Vita
Maria Letizia
ML
Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Institute of Surgical Pathology Università, Rome, Italy.
Tessitore
Adele
A
Cusumano
Giacomo
G
Congedo
Maria Teresa
MT
Filotico
Mariella
M
Margaritora
Stefano
S
Porziella
Venanzio
V
Meacci
Elisa
E
Granone
Pierluigi
P
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013945:Thymoma / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome