Adjuvant radiotherapy after complete resection of thymoma does not improve the overall survival

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between adjuvant radiotherapy after complete resection of thymoma and the overall survival. Methods: A retrospective analysis and follow-up were performed in 153 patients receiving complete resection of thymoma between June 2001 and December 2008. Of the 153 patients, 82 received adjuvant radiotherapy with a median dose of 50 Gy after complete resection of thymoma. The 5-year survival rate was compared between adjuvant radiotherapy group and no-adjuvant radiotherapy group by different Masaoka stages and 2004 WHO histological types. Results: The 5-year survival rates of patients receiving and not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy were 92% and 89%, respectively (P = 0.756). The 5-year survival rates between the patients receiving and not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy by different Masaoka stages and 2004 WHO histological types were all not significantly different (P > 0.05). The multivariate analysis revealed that Masaoka stage was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.001), but the 2004 WHO histological type, myasthenia gravis and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: As compared with single complete resection of thymoma, adjuvant radiotherapy after complete resection of thymoma can not improve the overall survival. DOI:10.3781/j.issn.1000-7431.2014.01.011