Iterative Surgical Treatment for Repeated Recurrences After Complete Resection of Thymic Tumors

Background In this study, we evaluated if surgical treatment and iterative operations could confer a survival advantage for patients with recurrent or repeated recurrences of thymoma. Methods Between 1984 and 2014, 53 of 515 (10%) patients had recurrences after complete thymoma resection. Demographics, stage, treatment, and pathologic findings were statistically analyzed to identify survival prognostic factors. Results Thirty-eight of 53 (72%) patients underwent resection of recurrent thymoma; 32 (84%) underwent complete resection. Fifteen (28%) patients did not undergo resection; 3 (20%) received chemotherapy alone, 10 (67%) received chemoradiotherapy, and 2 (13%) received supportive care. At univariate analysis, World Health Organization (WHO) AB + B1 histologic types (p < 0.0001), R0 resection (p < 0.0001), myasthenia gravis (MG) (p = 0.02), and adjuvant therapy after recurrence (p = 0.03) were significant prognostic factors. At multivariate analysis, complete resection (p = 0.0003) was the only significant prognostic factor. Among patients with repeated resections, those undergoing complete resection had better survival than did those undergoing incomplete resection or no operative procedure (p = 0.02). Seven patients are alive and free of disease, with a median survival of 115 months (70–161 months) and 149 months (61–201 months) from the first recurrence and from thymoma resection, respectively. Conclusions Complete resection is a viable treatment option for selected patients with recurrent thymomas. In cases of technically resectable repeated recurrences, repeated operations should be considered.