A case of a large invasive thymoma successfully treated by using a combination of artery infusion of CDDP and operation

: A 21-year-old male was admitted with SVC syndrome. Chest X-ray film showed an abnormal density on the upper mediastinum, that was recognized thymoma on the needle aspiration specimen. The large tumor, which extensively infiltrated the surrounding tissues (SVC, the right brachiocephalic vein, bilateral lungs and the pericardium) led us to choose preoperative chemotherapy. CDDP (cisdiammin-edichloroplatinum) was infused through the right IMA (internal mammary artery). After obtaining the major response the tumor mass was resected with adjacent structure accompised vessels reconstructions. Histological examination revealed totally necrosed tissue. Three years after initiation of therapy, the patient is doing well. The therapy with CDDP injection into selective IMA for invasive thymoma before operation was considered to be very useful utilized.