OBJECTIVETo investigate clinicopathologic features and optimal treatment of primary thymic lymphoma.

METHODSClinical records of 27 primary thymic lymphoma patients treated from 1990 to 2007 were reviewed.

RESULTSOf the 27 patients, 8 received mastectomy and chemotherapy, 12 received excision of the thymic lesion and chemotherapy, 5 received chemotherapy alone, and 2 received lesion excision alone. 24 achieved complete remission after scheduled treatment, 1 achieved partial remission, and 2 patients had progressive disease. With a follow-up of 10 years and median 38 months, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates of the 27 patients were 47% and 23% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe main subtypes of primary thymic lymphoma are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The optimal sequence is radical operation followed by standard anthracycline-based regimens and radiotherapy.