Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma Clinical Trials 2026 — Find Recruiting Studies

About Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are rare thymic epithelial tumours classified by WHO histological subtype (A, AB, B1, B2, B3 for thymomas, and C for thymic carcinoma), with markedly differing biology and prognosis across the spectrum. Thymomas are characterised by their unique association with autoimmune disorders — most notably myasthenia gravis, which occurs in 30–50% of thymoma patients — as well as pure red cell aplasia and hypogammaglobulinaemia. Thymic carcinoma lacks these paraneoplastic associations but is typically more aggressive, with higher rates of distant metastasis and a paucity of effective second-line systemic therapies following platinum-based chemotherapy.

Common Clinical Features

Anterior mediastinal mass discovered incidentally on chest imaging or causing chest pain, dyspnoea, and superior vena cava syndrome Myasthenia gravis: fatigable muscle weakness, ptosis, diplopia, dysphagia, and respiratory compromise Pure red cell aplasia presenting as severe, transfusion-dependent anaemia Hypogammaglobulinaemia (Good's syndrome) causing recurrent bacterial infections Chest pain or phrenic nerve palsy from locally advanced disease Pleural or pericardial metastatic effusion Distant metastases to bone, liver, and extrathoracic lymph nodes in thymic carcinoma

Clinical Trial Eligibility Tips

What to know before applying to Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma trials.

WHO histological subtype (A/AB/B1/B2/B3 thymoma versus thymic carcinoma) is a key eligibility and stratification criterion — confirm the exact subtype is documented in the pathology report with expert review if necessary.

Myasthenia gravis status and its treatment (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants, thymectomy history) must be disclosed as checkpoint inhibitors can precipitate severe myasthenic crisis and are often contraindicated or require close monitoring.

Prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy and recurrence status (resectable vs. unresectable/metastatic) determine eligibility for most second-line trials; provide a complete treatment chronology with response assessments.