Invasive thymoma in a patient with myasthenia gravis; preoperative intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy

Abstract

A 38-year-old male with invasive thymoma combined with myasthenia gravis was treated preoperatively with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy through the internal thoracic artery, followed by a safe operation. Two courses of 100 mg of Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and 20 mg of adriamycin were injected into the left internal thoracic artery because invasion of the pulmonary trunk was suspected. A decreasing rate of the tumor size was reduced 63%, and no side effects of the anticancer drugs were observed. Extended thymectomy with partial resection of the pericardium, lung and left phrenic nerve was safely performed with additional radiotherapy of 56 Gy. Intra-arterial selective infusion chemotherapy for invasive thymoma is effective with no significant side effects and surgery may then be easily and safely performed.