Thymic tumors are cancerous growths inside the thymus. They can be found in a wide variety of people, but are more common in those who are over 50. Fortunately, thymoma is a rare form of cancer that usually doesn’t spread to other parts of the body. However, they can still cause a variety of symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you get checked.
The first thing you may notice is shortness of breath or weakness. This is caused by reduced production of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. You may also experience fatigue or dizziness. In addition, you may develop infections. There are several reasons why your body may be suffering from these conditions, so your doctor may want to do some tests to determine the exact cause of the symptoms.
Another symptom is chest pain. This is usually a sign of a tumor that has grown too large to be removed by surgery. If you are unable to have surgery, your doctor will use radiotherapy to kill the cancer. Radiotherapy is a high-energy beam of energy that is directed at the cancer, but does little damage to normal tissues. Other treatments include chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is usually used to treat patients with a disease that has already spread, but it can also be used to prevent it from spreading.
When you are diagnosed with thymoma, your doctor will review your medical history and take a physical exam. You may have other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI. Your doctor will then grade the cancer and decide whether it needs treatment. Some types of thymomas can be diagnosed through a biopsy of the affected tissue. But, these are not always necessary. A biopsy is only a way to positively confirm a diagnosis.
Usually, your doctor will not be able to diagnose thymoma until it has reached an advanced stage. At this stage, the cancer has spread outside the thymus and may have spread to nearby organs, including the liver, heart, lungs, or pleura. During a surgery, your surgeon will remove as much of the thymus as possible, but it may not be completely removed.
If you have thymoma, you will need regular follow-up visits with your doctor. Several tests will be done during this time, including laboratory tests to look for other types of cancer. Blood tests are also performed to check for signs of autoimmune diseases, which are a result of the immune system attacking healthy tissues.
If you have thymus cancer, it is best to consult a thoracic oncologist. A multidisciplinary team will meet to discuss treatment options. Depending on the type of thymoma you have, you might need chemotherapy before surgery or after. Many patients have a good prognosis after treatment.
As with any cancer, the best way to diagnose thymoma is to undergo a series of tests. Depending on the type of thymoma, you might be able to skip a biopsy and simply have X-rays or other tests done to confirm the diagnosis.
