Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus: A clinicopathological and prognostic study

Background. Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus are rare, histologically di verse neoplasms with an unpredictable clinical behavior. This study provide s a useful clinicopathological classification and determines the relevance of specific prognostic factors. Methods. Ten neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus were analyzed for specific clinical and pathological features. Prognostic factors of these cases and 71 previously published cases were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curve s and Cox multivariate hazard model. Results. There were 7 males and 3 females, with ages ranging from 26 to 77 years. Cases were classified as carcinoid tumor (2), atypical carcinoid tum or (6), and small cell carcinoma (2). An advanced clinical stage was eviden t in all instances with frequent recurrence (4) and metastases (8), and a s hort disease-free survival. Overall mortality was 60%. Statistical analysis of current and previously published cases (n = 81 total) revealed that unr esectability (p = 0.0001), extent of surgical resection (p = 0.0002), and a dvanced clinical stage at presentation (P = 0.03) were associated with high er mortality. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, unresectability (p = 0.02) and advanced clinical stage (p = 0.03) were associated with decrease d survival. Conclusions. Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus can be classified into dis tinct clinicopathological entities, and specific factors have prognostic re levance. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.