West China Hospital reports combined thymoma and heart-valve surgery after radiotherapy

West China Hospital, Sichuan University, reported on October 23 that its multidisciplinary team had treated a 37-year-old woman with both a large thymoma and severe rheumatic heart-valve disease. Radiotherapy first reduced the tumor, followed by a combined operation to remove the tumor and involved tissue, replace the mitral valve and repair the tricuspid valve. The hospital reported that she recovered sufficiently for discharge.

Initially, the woman's only symptom was mild hoarseness, without typical chest pain or tightness. After seeking care in several places, she attended thoracic surgeon Liu Lunxu's clinic in June 2026. Imaging showed a mass measuring approximately 10.5 by 5.5 centimeters in the anterior mediastinum and near the right upper lung, considered to be a thymoma. Extensive tumor invasion together with severe valve disease made treatment unusually difficult: both the heart and lungs were affected, increasing operative risk.

Liu's team chose to reduce the tumor before attempting surgery. The oncology team prepared an individualized course of precision radiotherapy. After the patient completed 20 sessions, the tumor had shrunk substantially, its invasive progression was controlled and pressure within the chest had eased, creating an opportunity for the operation.

The hospital convened a multidisciplinary assessment to plan the high-risk procedure. Led by Liu, the team included cardiac and major-vessel surgeons Wu Zhong and Liang Weitao, thoracic surgeon Mei Jiandong and anesthesiologist Zhu Tao. They repeatedly reviewed the surgical approach, potential intraoperative and postoperative risks, and the coordination needed for a combined thoracic–cardiac operation.

The operation took place on September 28, with Liu, Mei and Liang operating together. Although radiation had reduced the tumor, dense scar tissue obscured the anatomical planes, and the mass adhered closely to the pericardium, lung and major mediastinal vessels. Through careful dissection, the thoracic team removed the thymoma together with involved lung tissue and portions of the pericardium, seeking to preserve healthy lung, nerves and vessels wherever possible.

Liang then performed the heart-valve procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass: mitral-valve replacement and tricuspid-valve repair. The large operative surface required meticulous control of bleeding and reconstruction of the pericardium before closure. Tumor removal and treatment of both diseased valves were thus completed during the same operation.

After surgery, the patient entered the thoracic intensive care unit under Cao Ge's team. The hospital reported that her breathing tube was removed on the evening of the operation and that her vital signs remained stable. She transferred to a regular ward on the fifth postoperative day.

On October 13, the patient was stable and discharged. The hospital said it would continue long-term, structured rehabilitation follow-up and further treatment. The reported pathway therefore extends from assessment and tumor-shrinking radiotherapy through combined surgery and intensive care to continued recovery management.