Table 2.
Main features of the studies eligible for inclusion with median follow-up time >3 years.
| Author, year |
Sample size (Recruitment period) |
Tumor Histology (WHO type) |
Stage (M−K) |
Margin status |
RT intent (n) |
RT technique (n) |
Median RT Dose (range) |
Median Follow-up (Months, range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TETs (M−K II to IV) | ||||||||
| Fan X., 2020 [35] |
56 (2011–2018) |
TETs (A-B3 + C) |
Limited advanced III-IVb | n/a (No surgery) |
C-CRT (56) |
IMRT (56) |
60 Gy (32–64) |
46 (7–101) |
| THYMOMA (M−K III) | ||||||||
| Fan C., 2013 [37] |
65* (1982–2010) |
Thymoma (A-B3) |
III | R0 (Complete surgery) |
PORT (53) | 2D-RT (25) 3D-CRT/IMRT (28) |
56 Gy (28–60) |
50 (5–360) |
| Fan C., 2020 [38] |
82* (2000–2017) |
Thymoma (A-B3) |
III Unresectable |
R2 (DS or Biopsy) |
dRT (54) non-dRT (28) |
2D-RT (42) 3D-CRT/IMRT† (40) |
60 Gy (10–70) |
41 (5–166) |
Abbreviations: TETs = thymic epithelial tumors; WHO = World health organization; M−K = Masaoka-Koga surgical tumor stage classification; n/a = not applicable; PORT = Post operative radiotherapy; DS: Debulking surgery; dRT = Definitive Radiotherapy alone with curative intent. 3D-CRT = 3D conformal radiotherapy; IMRT = Intensity modulated radiotherapy; C-CRT = concurrent chemo-radiation; n = number of patients.
*The original study sample differs from the patients undergoing RT with modern techniques (e.g. the final sample size used for the synthesis).
†Exact doses delivered for the modern RT subgroup are unclear.