Thymoma (patient information)

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Thymoma (patient information)
Thymoma: A bottle-shaped tumor is encapsulated and shows a bulging, rather homogeneous, faintly lobulated ivory-colored cut surface. Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology
ICD-10	C37.9, D60
ICD-9	164.0, 212.6
ICD-O:	8580
DiseasesDB	13067
MedlinePlus	001086
eMedicine	med/2752  med/3448 ped/2246
MeSH	D013945

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What is thymoma?

The thymus lies in the upper chest under the breastbone and it is part of the lymph system. There are different types of tumors of the thymus: thymoma and thymic carcinomas. Thymoma usually is benign, and frequently encapsulated. Thymoma doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of the tumor, frequent symptoms include trouble breathing, cough or chest pain. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

How do I know if I have thymoma and what are the symptoms of thymoma?

Early thymoma does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain

• Cough that doesn't go away

• Trouble breathing

• Hemoptysis

• Hoarseness

Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Who is at risk for thymoma?

Not much is known about why thymoma develop in some people but not in others.

How to know you have thymoma?

• Chest x-ray: An x-ray test is a basic test for thymoma. It may go through the chest and make a picture of areas inside the body.

• Computed tomography (CT) scan and biopsy: CT scans are often used to diagnose thymoma. It can confirm the location of the tumor and show the organs in the mediastinum, as well as lymph nodes. These are helpful for determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsy and a biopsy sample is usually removed and looked at under a microscope.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if symptoms of thymoma develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:

• Severe shortness of breathing

• Large hemoptysis

Where to find medical care for thymoma?

Directions to Hospitals Treating thymoma

What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?

The prognosis of thymoma depends on the following:

• The location of the tumor

• The stage of the tumor

• Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery

• The patient's general health

• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred

Copyleft Sources

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_thymus_cancer_42.asp?sitearea=&level=

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/thymoma/patient