Stage III thymoma: results of postoperative radiation therapy.

The results of postoperative radiation therapy in 12 patients with stage III thymoma treated during 1966-1986 were reviewed. Surgical therapy consisted of total resection in one, subtotal resection in seven, and biopsy only in four. Megavoltage irradiation in the dose range of 3,000-5,600 cGy was employed, with nine patients receiving a dose of at least 5,000 cGy. The local control rate was 67%. The actuarial observed and adjusted 5-year survival rates were 57% and 75%, respectively. These results indicate that postoperative radiation therapy is an effective therapeutic modality in the control of stage III thymoma.