Chemotherapy Definitions and Policies for Thymic Malignancies

摘要: Thymic malignancies are rare epithelial tumors that may be aggressive and difficult to treat.1 Thymomas usually localized the anterior mediastinum frequently eligible for upfront surgical resection, which is mainstay of curative-intent treatment.1 However, approximately 30% patients present with an advanced tumor at time diagnosis, invasion neighboring organs, dissemination pleura, pericardium, or less extrathoracic organs. In such cases, chemotherapy has been used both reduce burden—possibly allowing subsequent surgery radiotherapy—and achieve prolonged disease control. Recurrence after resection similarly treated chemotherapy. carcinomas, although rare, already presentation, systemic therapy important almost all these patients. Knowledge regarding thymic mainly based on retrospective series,2–9 several prospective trials have also conducted.10–21 These studies clearly demonstrated chemosensitivity thymoma, a lesser extent carcinoma, various cytotoxic agents combinations. details patient selection often lacking (either general condition), intent treatment sequence vague. Adoption common language definition terms crucial International Malignancies Interest Group (ITMIG) effort develop international database tumors. The article by Huang et al.22 provides definitions survival endpoints recurrences assessment discusses how measure response treatment. Herein, we discuss additional points regard chemotherapy, including sequence, modalities, impact corticosteroids.