Computed tomographic findings and prognosis in thymic epithelial tumor patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine which computed tomographic findings are associated with high-risk thymic epithelial tumors and a poor prognosis.

METHODS

Computed tomographic findings of thymic epithelial neoplasms were retrospectively evaluated in 75 patients diagnosed with thymic tumor between January 1997 and October 2003. We analyzed the correlation of the computed tomographic findings, histological subtype according to the World Health Organization classification, and the prognosis.

RESULTS

There were 34 with type A approximately B1 tumor and 41 with type B2 approximately C tumor. On multiple regression analysis, vascular obliteration and a blunt sternum-anterior mediastinum angle were more frequent with thymic carcinoma than with thymoma. On multivariate analysis, pleural effusion and mediastinal fat infiltration on initial computed tomography had a significant impact on survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular obliteration and a blunt sternum-anterior mediastinum angle were predictive of thymic carcinoma. Pleural effusion and mediastinal fat infiltration were predictive of a poor prognosis.