Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for recurrent thymoma

Introduction

Thymomas are the most common tumors of the anterior mediastinum. Radical surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for this type of tumor and the most important prognostic factor (1-3). Unfortunately, in 8-30% of patients that undergo radical surgical resection, a recurrence of the tumor may occur over a wide range of time, from few months to several years after the first operation (4-7). The probability of recurrence seems to be related to the initial Masaoka stage of the disease (8,9), as well as the WHO histology (10) with an increased relapse rate for Masaoka stage III and types B2-3 primary tumors. The most common site of tumour relapse from thymoma is the thoracic cavity, mainly in the form of single or multiple pleuro-pericardial implants (46-80% of all recurrences, probably due to the seeding of the pleural cavity during dissection of the tumor or spillage from the surface of the invaded capsule) (3,4,11,12). In a minority of patients, the relapse may localize in the anterior mediastinum due to incomplete resection or contamination of the field from extracapsular invasion. The management of thymoma recurrence still remains unclear and the role of surgery is not yet well defined in terms of indication, surgical access and extent of resection.

Evidence supporting surgery for recurrent thymoma

Treatment for recurrence may not be easy and the optimal strategy for managing these patients is still a matter of debate. Thymoma is a rare disease and recurrences are even rarer; therefore, to date, no randomized clinical trials have been performed to explore the best management of this disease. The majority of available data comes from retrospective single or multiinstitutional series (the largest of which includes 103 patients) (2,4-10,13-20), that have analyzed the results of surgical approach to thymoma recurrence and compared these with non-surgical treatments (i.e., chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both). Various authors (4-9,13-19) have emphasized the efficacy of surgical re-resection to prolong the survival of these patients; other authors (10,20) found no differences in the results obtained through surgery and chemo- or radiotherapy. However, the results of these studies are often burdened by significant biases, related to the heterogeneous degrees of severity, variable patterns of recurrence, different types of therapeutic approach and various selection criteria (regarding the presence of primary Masaoka stage IVa, type C thymic carcinoma, recurrence on patients with incomplete resection, and technical resectability). In fact, the comparison of patients treated by surgery with those receiving chemo-radiotherapy is often inappropriate due to differences in extension (single or multiple relapses), location of the disease (local vs. distant metastases) and performance status of the patients. Currently, the general consensus indicates surgical resection of cases of a single, potentially resectable, loco-regional thymoma recurrence, irrespective of location (i.e., pleural, pulmonary or mediastinal) if the relapse is judged resectable. This approach is associated with a good long-term prognosis (13,14,17). In 2008, Davenport et al. (21) published a systematic review targeted to provide some evidence-based recommendations about the role of surgery in the management of primary and recurrent thymomas. The authors concluded that surgical treatment of relapses seems acceptable, although the data supporting such a recommendation is methodologically weak and based only on reports coming from retrospective series. In a meta-analysis recently published by Hamaji et al. (8) considering 11 studies, the authors reached similar conclusions, underlining that the best results may be obtained when a complete resection is anticipated by the preoperative radiological assessment. It is undoubted, however, that given most of the studies evaluating the role of surgery for recurrent thymoma are retrospective, they suffer from an inherent selection bias. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with limited disease (the best prognostic factor) and better performance status, with a theoretical predicted survival advantage. A survey among the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) members (22) published in 2011, reported a general agreement regarding the preference (91%) for surgical approach to recurrence when resection is feasible. In this survey, some centres reported that they performed multiple subsequent resections in patients with repeated recurrence. Furthermore, many centres added in their comments that correct patient selection is crucial and that they proceed to resection only when complete resection may be anticipated. The average rates of 5- and 10-year overall survival after recurrence are 70.9%±16.2% (range, 40-85.7%) and 49.6%±27.4%, respectively for surgical series.

Type of surgery

Even for recurrence, the radicality of re-resection is a major prognostic factor. Therefore, a complete macroscopic resection represents the goal and the surgical approach (both in term of way of approach and extension of resection) should be planned and tailored to accomplish this aim. The number and location of recurrence are determinant in the surgical planning: a single pulmonary recurrence may be easily treated by a wedge (if peripheral) or anatomic (if central) pulmonary resection (Figure 1A). Similarly, a mediastinal non-invasive recurrence, particularly if characterized by unilateral predominance may be approached from the right or left chest cavity by thoracoscopic or robotic approach or thoracotomy, avoiding a sometimes difficult redo-sternotomy (Figure 1B).

Figure 1 (A) Single pulmonary recurrence (arrow) on the right lower lobe and; (B) single mediastinal recurrence (arrow) with unilateral right predominance in a patient with a previous thymoma resection by left thoracotomy.

A more complex discussion is required when there is evidence of single (Figure 2A,B) or multiple (Figure 2C) pleuro-pericardial implants. In these cases, the majority of the authors (4-6,14,15,17,18) advocate a limited pleural resection or a partial pleurectomy, comprising only the lesions macroscopically evident, in case of single or limited pleural relapses.

Figure 2 (A) Single pericardial implant (arrow) on the left side; (B) single pleural recurrence (arrow) on the right chest cavity; (C) multiple left pleural relapses (arrows).

Some authors, however, have described extended resections, from pleurectomy/decortications to extrapleural pneumonectomy. In some cases, these procedures are accompanied by induction chemotherapy or intraoperative hyperthermic pleural cavity irrigation or chemoperfusion, both for Masaoka stage IVa or diffuse pleural relapses. The results of these studies are controversial and often poor (23-25).

Role of minimally invasive approach

Looking at the available literature (Table 1), the most common surgical approach for thymoma recurrences is represented by thoracotomy. The video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach is rarely reported, and mainly reserved for wedge resection of pulmonary nodules or single pleural relapse (17,19,27). There are multiple reasons for this low rate of minimally invasive approach, including: (I) the majority of the series covers a long period of time and a large number of cases have been treated in the “pre-VATS era” or in a period of low adoption of VATS; (II) in a certain percentage of cases, a VATS approach may be contraindicated for technical reasons (e.g., diffuse recurrence, previous thoracotomy, adhesions, previous irradiation); (III) a total pleurectomy or pleurectomy/decortication by VATS in case of diffuse pleural recurrence (the most common type of relapse) is considered difficult and often inadequate to obtain a macroscopic radical resection.

Table 1 Literature review on surgical treatment of recurrent thymoma
Full table

VATS for recurrent thymoma: pros & cons

Given the widespread adoption of the VATS approach in the last decade for a variety of thoracic malignant diseases (primary and metastatic tumors of the chest cavity), this approach merits some consideration regarding its potential application for recurrent thymoma.

Firstly, recent technical advancements (i.e., dedicated instruments, high definition optics, new devices) have increased the quality and the range of operations that may be safely performed by VATS. Second, the well-known advantages of minimally invasive surgery (limited surgical trauma, low complications, short hospitalization, better cosmetic results, and early recovery of pulmonary function) may have a particular positive clinical impact in this subset of patients, often affected by myasthenia gravis. Third, the high definition of modern preoperative diagnostic radiological techniques allows for a precise assessment of the extent of the recurrent disease and a reliable prediction of the surgical resectability. In this way, it is possible to plan the best approach and the extension of surgical resection.

It is well established that the minimally invasive approach cannot threaten the quality of operation in term of radicality of resection. This represents the most important prognostic factor. To date, single pleuro-pulmonary or mediastinal unilateral non-invasive recurrences represent the best indication for VATS resection, but the role of minimally invasive approach for more extended operations (i.e., partial or extended pleurectomy) needs to be clarified.

Conclusions

In conclusion, surgery for recurrent thymoma is effective and safe, leading to good long-term survival rates. Complete macroscopic resection is the goal also for recurrent disease and should be accomplished, if possible. In our opinion, the role of VATS for recurrent thymoma is still unclear and not well explored. It is very likely that over the following years, an increasing amount of research will be available aiming at a more precise and established definition of the indications for minimally invasive approaches in thymic relapses.

Acknowledgements

None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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