A Decade of Surgical Management of Thymic Tumours in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND

Thymic cancers are exceedingly rare, with an incidence of one to two cases per 100 000 person-years with exceptionally diverse presentations. There is limited literature characterising prognostic factors, surgical management strategies and outcomes in Australian patients with thymic tumours.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients that underwent surgical resection of a thymic tumour from 2013 to 2022 within the two major cardiothoracic surgical units in Western Australia.

RESULTS

There were 120 patients included in this study, 60 patients with thymoma. There was a higher rate of recurrence in patients with thymoma and concurrent myasthenia gravis. Thoracoscopic surgery was associated with a reduced hospital length of stay (p = 0.04). Of the 40 patients with myasthenia gravis that underwent thymectomy, 30 (75%) had an improvement in their MG symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe the referral patterns, diagnostic methods, clinical management and outcomes for 120 patients who underwent resection of a thymic tumour. Our study affirmed that thymic surgery is well tolerated, supports its application in the management of myasthenia gravis and this research may help to further develop guidelines for best management of these tumours in Australian patients.