A review of thymic tumors

Thymic tumors represent 0.2-1.5 % of all malignancies with an incidence of 0.15 per 100,000 population. Thymic tumors are most common tumors of the anterior mediastinum accounting for 20 % of all mediastinal tumors and 50 % of all anterior mediastinal tumors. Over 90 % of all thymic tumors occur in anterior mediastinum, remainder occurring in neck or other mediastinal areas especially aortopulmonary window and retro cardiac area which are common sites for ectopic thymic tissues and possible explanation for failure in some cases of simple thymectomy to improve Myasthenia Gravis(MG). The aim of this review is to discuss histologic classification, diagnostic features, evaluation, management and prognosis of thymic tumors.