title: Recurrence after thymoma resection according to the extent of the resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complete resection of the thymus is considered appropriate for a thymoma resection because any remaining thymic tissue can lead to local recurrence. However, there are few studies concerning the extent of thymus resection. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate whether recurrence following thymoma resection correlated to the extent of resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1986 and 2011, a total of 491 patients underwent resection of thymic epithelial tumors with curative intent. Of those, we excluded patients with an undetermined World Health Organization (WHO) histologic type, patients with type C thymoma, and patients who underwent incomplete resection (n = 21). The remaining 342 patients were reviewed retrospectively and compared recurrence according to the extent of resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Extended thymectomy was performed in 239 patients (69.9%) and limited thymectomy was performed 103 patients (30.1%). In the extended thymectomy group, 29 recurrences occurred, and in the limited thymectomy group, 10 recurrences occurred.Comparing rates of freedom from recurrence between two groups, there was no significant statistical difference in total recurrence (p = 0.472) or local recurrence (p = 0.798). After matching patients by stage and tumor size, there was no significant difference in freedom from recurrence between the two groups (p = 0.162). Additionally, after adjusting for histologic type and MG, there was also no significant difference (p = 0.125) between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference in the rate of recurrence was observed in patients following limited thymectomy compared with extended thymectomy.
authors.forename: Mi Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Seok Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ha Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: In Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dae Joon
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kychu@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Kyung Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*