Thymic carcinoma successfully resected with superior vena cava after chemoradiotherapy

Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2001 Dec;49(12):717-21. doi: 10.1007/BF02913512.

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman hospitalized for thymic cancer invading the superior vena cava and left brachiocephalic vein evidenced both pleural and pericardial effusion. After chemotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel and concurrent radiotherapy, the entire tumor was successfully resected along with the pericardium, superior vena cava, and left brachiocephalic vein, followed by vascular reconstruction. Pathologically, viable tumor cells were identified only in the center of the tumor as anaplastic cell carcinoma. Induction chemoradiotherapy thus appears useful in enabling complete resection of advanced thymic carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma / surgery*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / analogs & derivatives*
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant / etiology
  • Taxoids*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Vena Cava, Superior / surgery*

Substances

  • Taxoids
  • Docetaxel
  • Paclitaxel
  • Cisplatin