Thymoma overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amr Marawan, M.D. [2]
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Overview
Thymoma is a tumor originating from the epithelial cells of the thymus. In medicine (oncology), thymoma is a tumor originating from the thymus. It consists of any type of thymic epithelial cell as well as lymphocytes that are usually abundant and probably not neoplastic. Thymoma usually is benign, and frequently encapsulated uncommon tumor, best known for its association with the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis.[1] Thymoma is found in 15% of patients with myasthenia gravis. Once diagnosed, thymomas may be removed surgically. When occasionally malignant, then it is invasive: metastasis is extremely rare. In the rare case of a malignant tumor, chemotherapy may be used.
Malignant lymphomas that involve the thymus, e.g., lymphosarcoma, Hodgkin's disease (termed "granulomatous thymoma" in the past), should not be regarded as thymoma.[1]
Thymomas associated with autoimmune disorders usually are benign. Malignant thymomas can metastasize, generally to pleura, kidney, bone, liver or brain.[2]
References
- ↑ Thomas CR, Wright CD, Loehrer PJ (1999). "Thymoma: state of the art". J. Clin. Oncol. 17 (7): 2280–9. PMID 10561285.
- ↑ Thomas CR, Wright CD, Loehrer PJ (1999). "Thymoma: state of the art". Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 17 (7): 2280–9. PMID 10561285. Retrieved 2012-01-18. Unknown parameter
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