[A case of relapsed thymic carcinoma that responded remarkably to chemotherapy with CPT-11]

A chemotherapeutic protocol for advanced thymic carcinoma has not been established as yet. We described a case of advanced and relapsed thymic carcinoma that responded remarkably to subsequent chemotherapy with CPT-11. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of facial edema and general fatigue. Chest X-ray and CT scan showed anterior mediastinal tumor which involved large vessels and pericardium. CT guided needle biopsy yielded a diagnosis of squamous cell type of thymic carcinoma. The patient was initially treated with ADOC (ADM, CDDP, VCR, CPA) chemotherapy and had successfully controlled for six months. However, the mediastinal tumor recurred and radiotherapy and nedaplatin plus ETP therapy were not effective. Then, CPT-11 chemotherapy (80 mg/m2, 2 weeks) was performed. The patient showed a partial response after two courses of CPT-11 chemotherapy. This case suggests that CPT-11 is a useful chemotherapeutic agent for advanced thymic carcinoma.