Surgical Expert Consensus on Clinical Management of Advanced Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma: A Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Collaborative Initiative.

Abstract

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas represent rare epithelial-derived thoracic neoplasms that, despite their low incidence, pose significant clinical challenges and impact patient survival. Through collaborative efforts among experts across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, this consensus seeks to provide guidance for the challenging management of advanced-stage thymic epithelial tumors (Stages IIb-IV). Advanced thymic tumors frequently present with local invasion or distant metastases, necessitating multimodal therapeutic approaches incorporating surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and emerging immunotherapies. Treatment individualization remains paramount given tumor heterogeneity and variable clinical presentations. This regional consensus framework endeavors to offer evidence-based guidance for thymic tumor management, promoting coordinated care through multidisciplinary teams that may help improve therapeutic outcomes and patient survival. Through collaborative efforts, we hope to foster greater consistency in treatment approaches across participating institutions, potentially contributing to enhanced regional oncological care via the careful integration of contemporary therapeutic strategies for patients with advanced thymic epithelial neoplasms.