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OBJECTIVES The tumour, node and the metastasis (TNM) staging system for thymic epithelial tumours was adopted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2016. Although the T factor is defined by the invasive nature of a thymoma, tumour size is not considered. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical importance of tumour size using a nationwide retrospective database of cases treated from 1991 to 2010 compiled by the Japanese Association for Research of the Thymus. METHODS Tumour size was evaluated by the maximum diameter shown by computed tomography imaging prior to resection. Tumour size was available for 2083 thymoma patients undergoing upfront surgical treatment. The tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 19.4 cm (mean 5.1 cm, median 4.9 cm). Harrell’s C-index was adopted to determine the cut-off value of the tumour size in 0.5-cm increments. RESULTS The highest C-index value (0.7760) was obtained in terms of recurrence-free survival after the complete resection when the cut-off value was set at 5.0 cm. The 10-year recurrence-free survival rate was 93.8% in patients with a tumour ≤5.0 cm and 84.3% in patients with a tumour >5.0 cm (P < 0.0001). The highest C-index value (0.8885) in terms of disease-specific survival was obtained when the cut-off value was set at 8.0 cm. The 10-year disease-specific survival rate was 98.8% in patients with a tumour <8.0 cm and 90.1% in those with a tumour ≥8.0 cm (P < 0.0001). The Cox’s proportional hazard model analysis showed that the tumour size and the TNM-based pathological stage were independent factors to determine both recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS Tumour size is an important prognostic factor and should be considered when determining the treatment strategy for thymoma patients.

L1152R to G1128A). One case initially had an EGFR L858R mutation, then acquired an ALK rearrangement, then acquired a G1202R mutation. OS was longer in 8 patients with secondary ALK mutation (5.5y) compared to 11 patients without (1.8 y). Using these learnings from an institutional cohort of ALK resistant patients, we designed and are launching a prospective study to characterize ALK TKI resistance, which uses remote-participation and plasma NGS to enroll patients from across the US. Patients with systemic progression while on a nextgeneration ALK TKI submit blood to a central lab for analysis and banking. Plasma NGS results are returned to the patient and their provider, and including expected TKI sensitivities for any identified ALK-resistance mutations. Through monitoring outcomes, this study can assess if molecularly-guided therapy for ALK TKI-resistance is feasible and effective. Conclusion: ALK resistance mutations arise in a large portion of patients and are associated with longer survival. The SPACEW-ALK study (Study of Plasma next-generation sequencing for remote Assessment, Characterization, Evaluation of patients With ALK drug resistance) uses plasma NGS and remote consent to assess ALK resistance and the feasibility of precision resistance therapy for these patients.

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