Recurrence of thymoma: Re-operation and outcome

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of recurrent thymomas remains still controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1972 to 2006, 265 (114 males and 118 females) patients with thymoma underwent surgery at Catholic University of Sacred Heart. Twenty of these 265 patients developed a recurrence of the initial thymoma, and they represent the population of the present study. RESULTS: One patient died of sudden death related to respiratory failure. The overall morbidity rate was 33% and the morbidity rate among myasthenic patients was 60%. 10 patients died during the follow-up; 2 of unrelated diseases, 2 of myasthenia gravis, and 6 of tumor growth. The overall actuarial survival rates were 43% and 37% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Recurrences never appeared in patients with I stage of Masaoka and in type A and AB. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the particular spread of thymoma and the encouraging results of the aggressive surgical approach, re-resection should be recommended in respectable recurrent thymomas.