Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery plus radiotherapy in the treatment of invasive thymoma

Sourcerecord Id Scopus 29947 ABSTRACT: Invasive thymoma is a rare neoplasia of thymus epithelial cells and represents 9-17% of all primitive mediastinal tumors. Since November 1992 2 female patients afflicted by invasive thymoma were admitted with unfavorable prognosis because of their age (22-25 years) and stage (Masaoka stage III). Patients were treated following the ADOC scheme: doxorubicin and cisplatin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide. After the 4th chemotherapeutic cycle an intensive follow-up was etabilished. A limphatic gland relapse was noted after 10 months and treated with a radical surgical approach. After a follow up of 30 and 19 months respectively, the patients are alive and live a normal life. Chemotherapy is an important step to carry out radical surgery in this rare neoplasia.