Treatment of Thymic Neoplasms by Radiation Therapy

Indications and techniques for post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) for invasive thymoma have evolved over the past decade. As increased evidence suggests high local control rates with surgery alone in Masaoka stage I disease, there is a general consensus that in early stages PORT can be omitted. In addition, as patterns of failure analyses have demonstrated a propensity for pleural failure, there has been interest in utilizing more extensive radiation fields, either as prophylaxis or when recurrence occurs. Finally, the advent of advanced radiation techniques has allowed for increased sparing of mediastinal structures such as the heart, great vessels, and lung. This reduction in dose may ultimately lead to lower side effects, thus enhancing the quality of life for survivors of this malignancy.