Bibliometric analysis reveals global thymoma research trends collaborations and emerging frontiers from 2010 to 2024.

Abstract

Objective: To map global thymoma research trends (2010-2024) through bibliometric analysis.

Methods: Analysis of 2,078 publications from Web of Science/PubMed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. Metrics included productivity (countries/institutions/authors), thematic evolution, collaboration networks, and citation impact.

Results: The analysis reveals a steady increase (6.2% CAGR) in the volume of thymoma-related publications over the past decade. Key journals included Journal of Thoracic Oncology and Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Prolific authors like Marx Alexander (25 publications) and institutions such as Fudan University (67 publications) dominated the field. Keyword analysis revealed sustained focus on "myasthenia gravis," "surgery," and "thymectomy," with emerging interest in "immunotherapy" and "molecular biology." High-impact articles addressed autoimmune associations and novel therapies (e.g., sunitinib). Global collaboration networks highlighted strong partnerships among the U.S., Europe, and Asia, though logistical and policy barriers may have limited China's broader international engagement.

Conclusion: Thymoma research has evolved toward molecular and therapeutic innovation, emphasizing immunotherapy and precision medicine. Despite growth, geographical disparities and understudied areas (e.g., long-term outcomes) persist. Future efforts should prioritize multidisciplinary collaboration, biomarker discovery, and multicenter trials to optimize clinical strategies.