Surgical Management And Prognosis Analyze Of Thymoma Invading The Great Vessels

Background Surgical resection of invasive thymoma involving either the Super Vena Cava (SVC) or its branches is uncommonly performed because of the potential morbidity and mortality for an unknown probability of significant palliation or cure.Methods A retrospective review of the results in 18 patients, between January 2003 and December 2008, who underwent resection of invasive thymoma that included either the SVC or its branches was conducted, with or without invasion of other organs were treated at the 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Centre South University by a single surgeon team. All procedures were performed via median stemotomy. Some angioplasty techniques were successfully used to resect and reconstruct the SVC. 11 of the 18 patients underwent pulmonary resection due to involvement of pulmonary parenchyma.Results There were no perioperative deaths. 1 patients suffered prolong ventilation after surgery. As of May 2009, the median survival duration for all patients was 27.2 months, and the disease-free survival duration was 8-72. The remaining 13 patients were still living and their progress is still monitored.Conclusion Thymoma invading the SVC system can be safely and completely resected via a median stemotomy, even if it has invaded other medianstinal organ. A good outcome for patients with invasive thymoma is possible if a suitable strategy combining accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially surgical resection.