Long-term results of surgical treatment for invasive thymoma

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the operative outcome of e xtensive surgery for invasive thymoma and to assess the prognostic factors for long-term survival. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with invasive thymoma have been operated on at our, institution during past the 33 years . We performed total removal of the tumour, including invaded neighboring o rgans. Complete resection was performed in 27 patients, incomplete resectio n in 4. Nine patients had unresectable thymoma. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 30 patients with a median dose of 48 Gy. Results: The 10-y ear survival rate was 72% for Masaoka stage II, 47'% for stage III, and 0% for stage IV. There was no postoperative mortality. Concerning the prognost ic factors for long-tel-m survival, there were no significant differences i n the analysis of Masaoka staging, histological classification, association of autoimmune disease, and postradiotherapy. However, the survival rate wa s significantly higher for patients with complete resection than for patien ts with incomplete resection or biopsy only (p=0.019). Conclusions: Whether the tumour is resected completely or not is the most important factor for long-term survival; therefore it is preferable to perform extensive surgery ,for invasive thymoma.