Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2005; 53(5): 305-309
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837706
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Multimodality Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Thymus

T. Dosios1 , G. C. Nikou2 , C. Toubanakis2 , T. Filippides3 , D. Papachristou4
  • 1Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Athens University, Greece
  • 2Section of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrinology - First Department of Propedeutic Internal Medicine, Athens University, Greece
  • 3Pathology Department, Air Force and Veterans Administration General Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 4Department of Endocrinology, Democretion University of Alexandroupolis, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Received December 13, 2004

Publication Date:
06 October 2005 (online)

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Abstract

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.

References

Theodosios Dosios

Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery

2 Chatzigianni Mexi Str.

11528 Athens

Greece

Phone: + 302107247000

Fax: + 30 21 06 52 51 84

Email: dosioth@internet.gr