Successful resection of thymoma directly invading the right atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass

We present the case of an invasive thymoma with severe compression of the right atrium, and infiltration of the atrial wall, causing a superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. The tumour was resected under cardiopulmonary bypass en bloc with the atrial wall. A bovine pericardial patch was used for atrial reconstruction. We obtained a complete resection of the tumour and regression of symptoms, and, after 1 year of the follow-up, no signs of recurrence are evident. To our knowledge, this is the first case of thymoma directly invading the right atrium, without involvement of the SVC. In this setting, the aggressive surgical approach led to an immediate resolution of the symptoms and contributed to prolonged long-term survival.