What's new in thymic neoplasms.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The past 5 years have been marked with major developments in the field of thymic malignancies.

RECENT FINDINGS: A lack of progress over decades has been transformed into dramatic advancements over the past 5 years through the creation of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG). ITMIG has brought together an engaged worldwide community interested in this field. An unprecedented global database has been developed and is being actively analyzed. Standard definitions have been established to allow collaboration; the histologic classification has been revised and the first formal stage classification system developed. Clinical trials and innovative research approaches are being implemented. The creation of the ITMIG infrastructure has yielded many successes and provides a solid foundation for future progress.

SUMMARY: Clinicians and researchers should be aware of the knowledge, structure and tools that have been established. ITMIG provides an engaged community for collaboration and progress.