[期刊论文][OriginalPaper]

出版年：2009

Abstract Objective To retrospectively evaluate the prognostic factors for advanced thymic carcinoma. Methods The data from 45 patients with advanced thymic carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed according to Masaoka stage criteria. There were 29 Stage III patients and 16 Stage IV patients (13 Stage IVA patients and 3 Stage IVB patients). According to the World Heath Organization Histological Criteria (2004), 25 cases were identified as low-grade and 20 cases were identified as high-grade. All diagnoses were confirmed by biopsy. Five patients underwent gross total resection, 21 patients underwent subtotal resection and 19 patients underwent biopsy alone. Forty-two patients received radiotherapy with a median dose of 60 Gy, and 37 patients underwent conventional radiotherapy, including local irradiation and expanded irradiation. Local irradiation volume covered the primary tumor bed and approximately 1? cm² surrounding the tumor (according to preoperative imaging). Expanded irradiation volume covered the full mediastinal and pericardium areas (with or without prophylactic irradiation in the supraclavicular area). Five cases received stereotactic radiotherapy. Thirty-one patients were also treated with chemotherapeutics, including Cisplatin, VP-16, Endoxan, 5-FU and taxol. Results The median follow-up period was 59 months. The overall 3-year survival rate was 57.8%, and the median survival was 45 months. Univariate statistical analysis showed that the histological subtype and Masaoka stage were prognostic factors. The 3-year survival rate was 61.9% in patients treated with gross total resection and 55.0% in those who underwent biopsy only. The 3-year survival rate was 59.5% in patients treated with conventional radiotherapy and 80% in those treated with stereotactic radiotherapy. The 3-year survival rate was 64.5% in patients treated with simultaneous chemotherapy and 42.9% in patients treated without simultaneous chemotherapy ( P > 0.05). Chemotherapy in combination with radiation treatment and surgery achieved better outcomes for Stage IV patients than radiation treatment and surgery without chemotherapy ( P < 0.05). Conclusion For patients with Stage III and IV thymic carcinoma, complete resection and postoperative radiotherapy or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy constitute the best treatment solution. Chemotherapy can also be used in combination to improve prognosis. For patients with Stage IV thymic carcinoma, chemotherapy is necessary.

thymic carcinoma; combined modality therapy; prognosis; prognostic factors;