5 Things You Need to Know About Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

1. A One-two Punch to the Thymus

There's a small gland of the lymphatic system behind your breastbone called the thymus, which produces white blood cells (lymphocytes). Two types of rare tumors can attack the surface of this small gland: thymoma and thymic carcinoma. A thymoma is a benign slow-growing tumor that resembles normal cells and does not spread beyond the thymus. Thymic carcinoma is an aggressive tumor, spreads to other parts of the body, has a high recurrence rate and a low survival rate. Thymomas are diagnosed most often in people between 40 and 60 years of age; thymic carcinoma can appear at any age.

2. Coughing Occurs Often

Symptoms of these tumors take some time to manifest and as many as 30 percent of patients show no signs at the time of diagnosis. When symptoms are present, they consist of chest pain, a persistent cough and muscle weakness. Shortness of breath, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing may also be signs of these tumors. In many cases, development of thymomas is associated with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, pure red cell aplasia (a type of anemia), rheumatoid arthritis, or, most frequently, myasthenia gravis (weakness of voluntary muscles). Thymic carcinomas have no such association.

3. Passing Through the Stages

Thymomas are generally characterized as either invasive or non-invasive and rarely spread to other organs. Thymic carcinomas, being much more aggressive, are staged as are most types of cancer. In stage one, the cancer is contained to the thymus; stage two, through the outer layer of the thymus; stage three, the disease has spread to nearby organs such as the lungs and lining of the heart; stage four a, to tissue around the heart and lungs; and stage four b, through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other organs.

4. Getting the Big Picture

Nearly half of thymus gland tumors are found by chance during a routine chest X-ray. However, if symptoms are present and a patient is referred for other tests to confirm thymoma or thymic carcinoma, a CT scan and MRI will be conducted. If a tumor is noted, a needle biopsy will be performed to examine the tissue of the thymus. In some cases, a mediastinoscopy or thoracoscopy may be performed. These are similar tests wherein a cut is made at the base of the neck and a small tube equipped with a light and camera is passed through into the chest so the thymus can be closely examined.

5. A Tough Fight

Surgical removal of a thymoma is usually without incident and no further treatment should be needed. Sometimes removal of lymph nodes may also be involved. In the case of thymic carcinoma, the treatment is much more aggressive dependent on the stage of the disease. Radiation therapy and/or a combination of chemotherapy drugs will be used. Radiotherapy is also used to reduce the risk of a recurrence of the cancer.