Staging of thymic epithelial neoplasms: thymoma and thymic carcinoma.

Thymic epithelial neoplasms are uncommon tumors that have been the subject of interest in the last few decades with regard to their histogenesis, histopathologic classification, treatment and prognosis. These tumors are a group of heterogenous neoplasms that are often difficult to subtype and the value of such subclassification with regard to prognosis remains obscure. One factor, however, that appears strongly associated with clinical behavior is tumor staging. The focus of this review will be an overview of the different staging systems for thymic epithelial neoplasms that have been presented in the literature over the years. Particular emphasis is paid to the latest developments in this context.