Abstract
Background Thymomas are very rare neoplasms in children and they
represent less than 1% of mediastinal tumours in a paediatric
population. The aim of our study was to assess the long term treatment
results of children with thymic tumours. Material and methods A total
number of 8 children (4 boys and 4 girls) with thymic tumours were
identified. Median age at diagnosis was 7 years. In 7 of them thymoma
was diagnosed, in 1 thymic carcinoma. In 5 of them WHO type was assessed
– in two of them B1 type was found, in one B2, in one AB and in one C.
In all but one surgery was the first-line treatment, but 6 patients had
only partial resection. One patient started treatment with chemotherapy
and four others received chemotherapy after the surgery. Radiotherapy
was applied in 6 patients with median total dose of 37.5Gy. Results
Follow-up ranged from 8.5 to 273.5 months with median of 6.1 years.
During that time 4 patients died – 1 due to progression of the disease,
in 3 others reason of death was unknown. In all evaluated patients
complete regression was observed (100% local control). Two-, 5- and
10-years OS and PFS were 85% and 72%, 51% and 54%, 51% and 54%,
respectively. Conclusions Combined treatment could provide satisfactory
results in thymoma patients. There is need for further larger studies
which can help establish optimal management strategies.