A spectrum of thymomas over a three year period

Nine patients with thymomas presented to the cardiothoracic surgical unit of our hospital in the three year period 1982-1984. The clinical presentation and pathology of these tumours was varied. Two of the patients underwent needle biopsies of the tumour and the microscopical reports on these are compared with the ultimate diagnosis made on surgically removed specimens. The assessment of the behaviour of Thymomas from the microscopy is usually impossible. This is discussed in relation to our nine patients.