Impact of radiotherapy on myasthenia gravis in patients with malignant thymomas / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the change of myasthenia gravis(MG) during radiotherapy for patients with malignant thymomas.Methods Forty-five with malignant thymomas patients with were analyzed.The median total dose was DT54.2?Gy in 1.8-2.0?Gy /fraction,5 days a week.Anti-cholinesterase,such as pyridostigmine was used to control the MG symptoms.Results Forty-five patients completed radiotherapy on schedule except one from whom the treatment was was with drawn because of respiratory muscle involvement.Among these 44 patients,myasthenic symptom was relieved in 4 to various degrees,4 progressed,34 no change and 2 developed cholinergic crisis.Myasthenic symptom was not changed in one patient for whom radiotherapy had been standed before operation nor during the course of postoperative radiotherapy.Conclusions A course of radiotherapy of DT54.2?Gy,on fractionation of DT1.8-2.0?Gy modal would not aggravate myasthenia.However,proper use of anti-cholinesterase,careful observation and timely drug-adjustment are necessary.