Outcomes of extended surgical resections for locally advanced thymic malignancies: a narrative review

Abstract

Thymic malignancies represent the most common anterior mediastinal neoplasms, as well as rare and challenging tumors. Surgery is the cornerstone in the treatment of thymic malignancies, although a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory, for both, locally advanced or metastatic disease. In our narrative review, we explored the recent literature to investigate clinical and radiological assessment, multimodality approach and outcomes of locally advanced thymic tumors. More than one-third of patients affected by an anterior mediastinal mass are asymptomatic at diagnosis. In case of locally advanced thymoma, symptoms are related to compression or invasion of adjacent structures, such as the superior vena cava (SVC), innominate veins and pericardium. Paraneoplastic syndromes, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), are related to release of antibodies, hormones and cytokines. Diagnostic methods must be chosen accurately to avoid unnecessary surgical resections, to define the best strategy of care, and to plan the surgical strategy. Therefore, each case must be evaluated in a multidisciplinary context, where surgery plays an essential role. In this narrative review, we describe indications and surgical techniques for the treatment of locally advanced thymoma; focusing on oncological outcomes after different approaches. In conclusion, aggressive surgery is always indicated, when possible, and when a complete resection can be planned, yet, the multidisciplinary approach is mandatory, in case of both locally or metastatic advanced disease.