Definitive chemoradiotherapy with Carboplatin Plus Paclitaxel for Unresectable Locally Advanced Thymic Carcinoma: A case series

Abstract

Objectives

Thymic carcinoma (TC) is rare. There is no evidence regarding the treatment strategies for unresectable locally advanced thymic carcinomas. Definitive chemoradiotherapy may treat this condition. However, an appropriate concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy has not yet been established.

Materials and methods

We present three cases of locally advanced thymic carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Results

Three patients aged 74–81 with Masaoka stage III thymic carcinoma were included. One patient was a woman, and two patients were men. All patients received weekly carboplatin (area under the curve, 2) plus paclitaxel (40 mg m^-12) and concurrent radiotherapy (60 Gy). One patient experienced an adverse event of grade 3 radiation pneumonitis after chemoradiotherapy, but the three patients completed chemoradiotherapy with minor adverse events during treatment. Progression-free survival after chemoradiotherapy was 59+, 24+, and 16+ months, respectively; all patients were alive.

Conclusion

Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly carboplatin plus paclitaxel may be effective for treating unresectable locally advanced thymic carcinomas.