Intraoperative radiation is also feasible to the region of gross residual tumor at the time of surgery. Interesting systemic features associated with this tumor include myasthenia gravis, red cell aplasia, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Thymoma is a slowly growing tumor. The treatment of choice depends on the extent of disease. Total thymectomy is the treatment of choice for stages I and II thymomas.
Postoperative radiotherapy is added to the tumor bed region for stage II disease.
For stage III disease, surgery is combined with postoperative radiation. However, preoperative radiation is used to reduce the bulk of tumor when complete resection is judged difficult because of the tumor extension into the surrounding vital structure. Chemotherapy is being studied in advanced stage disease.