Does gefitinib have effects on EGFR mutation-positive thymoma? -Case report of thymoma recurrence

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman heavily pretreated for a thymoma was referred to our hospital with recurrence. Following additional surgery, the tumor recurred again in the left thoracic cavity. Because of previous multiple operations and repeated chemotherapies, the patient was considered unable to tolerate additional surgery or chemotherapy. After we obtained positive evidence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, she was administrated gefitinib for 3 months. Although immunohistochemistry findings showed that the tumor was EGFR positive, gefitinib therapy led no reduction of the tumor size. After undergoing immunotherapy, the patient suffered from repeated occurrences of pneumonia, and died from respiratory failure.