Between 1994 and 2003, 537 thymic epithelial tumours were diagnosed. The incidence of all thymic epithelial tumours was 3.2/1,000,000. Diagnosis was obtained by primary resection in 56 % of cases. Survival data were available for 232 cases. Not only thymic carcinomas (type C) but also thymomas (types B1–B3) were associated with excess mortality. Cases that underwent resection (78 % ) had a better survival than non-operated cases (median survival >10 years versus 1.1 years, p < 0.001). Amongst the surgically treated cases (n = 180), the completeness of resection did not predict survival (p = 0.53).
Thymic epithelial tumours are rare. Excess mortality was observed in the majority of tumours. Surgery offers the best perspectives, even if the resection is incomplete.