[Clinical analysis of primary thymic lymphoma: a report of 27 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinicopathologic features and optimal treatment of primary thymic lymphoma.

METHODS

Clinical records of 27 primary thymic lymphoma patients treated from 1990 to 2007 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 27 patients, 8 received mastectomy and chemotherapy, 12 received excision of the thymic lesion and chemotherapy, 5 received chemotherapy alone, and 2 received lesion excision alone. 24 achieved complete remission after scheduled treatment, 1 achieved partial remission, and 2 patients had progressive disease. With a follow-up of 10 years and median 38 months, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates of the 27 patients were 47% and 23% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The main subtypes of primary thymic lymphoma are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The optimal sequence is radical operation followed by standard anthracycline-based regimens and radiotherapy.