Would you offer empiric radiation for a growing mediastinal mass radiographically suspicious for thymoma in a patient who declines surgery?
If so, what would be your approach to radiation? Could SBRT be an option?
2 Answers
Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · Tennessee Oncology
Answered on
If the patient truly refuses surgery, they need to undergo a core biopsy to get a tissue diagnosis due to the variety of potential histologies (ranging from thymoma, thymic carcinoma, lymphoma, germ cell tumor, primary lung tumor, etc.) each requiring distinct management strategies. Even...
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Mednet Member
Radiation Oncology · Marshfield Clinic - Rice Lake
Answered on
While there are instances, in special circumstances, where I treat patients without pathologic confirmation of malignancy, this would NOT be one of those cases. Depending on the histology of the tumor, the recommendation for treatment might be too different.
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