Thymoma and radiation therapy: a systematic review of medical treatment

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2013 Jun;13(6):759-66. doi: 10.1586/era.13.54.

Abstract

Thymoma is the most common tumor in the anterior mediastinum (50% in adults). This review presents an update of thymoma treatment, commonly based on the Masaoka clinical staging system. The best treatment option is complete resection with no adjuvant approach in early stages and complete response. For incomplete resection, postoperative radiotherapy is recommended (5-year survival: 50-60%). For unresectable disease, concurrent chemoradiotherapy is performed. In conclusion, high technology (3D radiotherapy, 4D radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy and computed tomography fusion with PET scan) optimizes tumor target definition and provides dose escalation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Postoperative Period
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
  • Thymoma / drug therapy
  • Thymoma / mortality
  • Thymoma / radiotherapy*
  • Thymoma / surgery
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / mortality
  • Thymus Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents