Abstract
Background
Thymomas are very rare neoplasms in children and they represent less
than 1% of mediastinal tumours in a paediatric population. The aim of
our study was to assess the long term treatment results of children with
thymic tumours.
Material and methods
A total number of 8 children (4 boys and 4 girls) with thymic tumours
were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 7 years. In 7 of them
thymoma was diagnosed, in 1 thymic carcinoma. In 5 of them WHO type was
assessed – in two of them B1 type was found, in one B2, in one AB and
in one C. In all but one surgery was the first-line treatment, but 6
patients had only partial resection. One patient started treatment with
chemotherapy and four others received chemotherapy after the surgery.
Radiotherapy was applied in 6 patients with median total dose of 37.5Gy.
Results
Follow-up ranged from 8.5 to 273.5 months with median of 6.1 years.
During that time 4 patients died – 1 due to progression of the disease,
in 3 others reason of death was unknown. In all evaluated patients
complete regression was observed (100% local control). Two-, 5- and
10-years OS and PFS were 85% and 72%, 51% and 54%, 51% and 54%,
respectively.
Conclusions
Combined treatment could provide satisfactory results in thymoma
patients. There is need for further larger studies which can help
establish optimal management strategies.