Thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis: outcome, clinical and pathological correlations in 197 patients on a 20-year experience

J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Sep 15:201-202:237-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.07.012. Epub 2008 Aug 22.

Abstract

We studied 197 patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (T-MG) to identify variables that can influence the natural history of the disease and the therapeutical approaches. Multivariate analysis showed that neither clinical nor pathological variables were associated with a better chance to reach complete stable remission. The video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) was not significantly correlated with a lower chance of achieving complete stable remission compared with the classical transsternal approach (T-3b) (p=0.1090). Thymoma recurrence was not correlated with surgery by VATET or T-3b. VATET was safe and reliable for removal of thymoma. The low chance of achieving remission (9.64%) in T-MG underlines the importance of an early diagnosis as well as the need for more aggressive therapeutic strategies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Tables
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / complications
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / pathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymoma* / complications
  • Thymoma* / pathology
  • Thymoma* / therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Video-Assisted Surgery / methods

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors