ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET), including thymomas and thymic carcinomas, are rare and characterized by very different evolutionary patterns depending on histology and invasion stage. The therapeutic management is not well defined but is a subject of increasing interest. The descriptive and analytic objectives of this retrospective monocentric study were to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with TET, and to assess the management of these tumors in our centre. METHODS: Adult patients with TET managed in the Rennes university hospital in the period 2000-2011 were selected via the pathology department. Their clinical and pathological features and survival were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Fifty TET were retrieved (46 thymomas and 4 thymic carcinomas). Their clinical and histological features and their invasion stages were concordant with published studies. Their diagnostic and therapeutic managements were also in accordance with current guidelines. In univariate analysis, myasthenia and surgery were associated with better survival rates. CONCLUSION: Management of TET in Rennes university hospital is in accordance with guidelines.
