title: Thymoma and thymic carcinomas.
abstract: Thymomas (Ts) and thymic carcinomas (TCs) are rare tumours of the mediastinum with an incidence rate of 1.7/million per year in Europe. Histological classification is based on rate of non-malignant-appearing thymic epithelial cells and proportions of lymphocytes (A, AB, B1, B2, B3, and C), while staging system concerns localisation of the involved areas. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment with a 10-year survival of 80%, 78%, 75%, and 42% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively, with an R0 resection. Radiotherapy has a role in selected cases (stage III patients or R1-2 residual) and platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard of care for patients with advanced disease. A multimodality approach would be advisable when surgery is not recommended. Since molecular aberrations are poorly understood and few responses are reported, targeted therapies are yet being studied. In this review, we describe key aspects of clinical management for Ts and TCs.
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scorsetti
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Service, Périgueux Hospital, Périgueux, France.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.affiliation: Evaluative Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS-Italian National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trama
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, "Campus Biomedico" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Angelillo
authors.affiliation: Evaluative Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS-Italian National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Danila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serpico
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Oncology Unit, Division of Medical Oncology, Foundation IRCCS-Italian National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: marianna.macerelli@istitutotumori.mi.it.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macerelli
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology and Haematology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zucali
authors.affiliation: Evaluative Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS-Italian National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Oncology Unit, Division of Medical Oncology, Foundation IRCCS-Italian National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Garassino
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013945:Thymoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Chemotherapy; Diagnosis; Radiotherapy; Surgery; Targeted therapies; Thymic carcinoma; Thymomas