Multimodality treatment of neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus.

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus are rare neoplasms. Four patients with this tumor who underwent multimodality treatment are presented and the literature is briefly reviewed.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients treated for neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus from 1979 to 2002 were reviewed. Tumors were classified using a slight modification of the World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 38 years. All patients underwent extensive excision of the tumor. Histological diagnosis was atypical carcinoid (2), typical carcinoid (1), and small cell carcinoma (1). All patients developed recurrence(s). One patient died 132 months after diagnosis. The remaining three patients are alive with no symptoms at 135, 99, and 35 months, respectively, after diagnosis. Two patients with recurrences have been on treatment with Octreotide LAR with satisfactory results. One patient is free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus are potentially aggressive tumors. Radical resection is the treatment of choice. The encouraging results obtained by administration of Octreotide LAR in two of our patients warrant further investigation.