NEOPLASM THYMOMA

Overview and Facts

A neoplasm thymoma is an uncommon kind of tumor or lump of the thymus gland. The thymus gland is located in the area amidst the sternum in the chest and the two lungs (anterior mediastinum) that play a crucial role in the growth of immune cells during childhood. This thymus gland expands during childhood, increases in size at adolescence, and then starts to shrink. 

Generally, a blend of lining cells and lymphoid cells puts up the thymus. Neoplasm thymoma is a kind of tumor that comes from the lining cells or epithelial of the thymus. The word thymic neoplasm indicates the thymus tumors that develop gradually and normally do not spread further to the thymus.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Almost 50 % of people with thymomas have no symptoms, which means they don’t generate any signs or symptoms. Doctors may diagnose this condition when they execute an imaging test for some reason. In some cases, the tumor might cause symptoms associated with its size and its force on the nearest organs. 

The common symptoms that can occur are:

Furthermore, these symptoms may also occur:

  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Fever

In some instances, it can spread to the heart, lungs, or even on the outer tissues of the chest. So, if you have any of the symptoms of neoplasm thymoma, seek immediate medical help.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

If a neoplasm thymoma has no sign or symptoms, doctors might spot it accidentally on imaging tests of your chest, such as a CT Scan and X-ray that is done for another medical condition. 

Moreover, if symptoms or signs are present, the doctor might request imaging tests to determine the root of the symptoms. 

Though a mass can be detected on imaging tests, the definite diagnosis can only be found when the mass is either examined by a pathologist or extracted surgically or when a biopsy is taken. Hence, a microscopic exam of the tumor biopsy is needed to verify the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma or thymoma. Afterward, the doctor can categorize the looks of the tissue alone as type A, B, or C, depending on its features.

TREATMENT

Some standard treatments are available for people with thymoma, and others are still tested for clinical trials. These treatments include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery
  • Targeted therapy
  • Hormone therapy

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