Thymus carcinoma, or thymus cancer, is an uncommon tumor that usually has a bad prognosis for the patient. It is difficult to differentiate the tumor from being primarily derived from the thymus or from being a metastases from another cancer located elsewhere in the body. They can be asymptomatic or have a variety of symptoms, most of which are not very specific and require the physician to be vigilant for possible cancer evaluation.
Chest Pain
This can be directly attributable to the location of the mass. The thymus is located in the chest, in an area known as the anterior mediastinum. The tumor can grow into surrounding tissue, causing discomfort and pain.
Shortness of Breath
This can result usually from damage to nerves, resulting in paralysis of the diaphragm (an important muscle in breathing). The tumor can also result in fluid buildup around the lungs (known as pleural effusion), which can compress the lungs and make breathing difficult.
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
The superior vena cava is a major vein in the body and is located near the thymus. The tumor can grow into it and obstruct blood blow into the heart. Symptoms include dizziness, fainting, headache, neck swelling, facial swelling, arm swelling, redness of the face and palms, and changes in vision.
Hoarseness
The tumor can also grow into and damage a nerve known as the recurrent laryngeal nerve. This nerve supplies the larynx, commonly known as the "voicebox," and hoarseness can result.
Weight Loss
Many cancers result in weight loss, especially once they spread, or metastasize. They increase the body's inflammatory response via release of various chemicals; if the inflammation becomes chronic, it can result in malnutrition and wasting. The malnutrition and weight loss tends to not respond to nutritional treatment; instead treatment of the cancer is the best way to solve this problem.
Muscle Weakness
Typically cancers of the thymus result in a condition known as myasthenia gravis. Antibodies are produced against muscle cells, which prevent them from being fully stimulated with resulting weakness. This can present with eyelid drooping and difficulty standing or walking up stairs, and it tends to get worse at the end of the day.
References
- "Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America;" Surgical Treatment of Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms; Kaiser, LR. Volume 22, June 2008.
- "Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America;" Thymic Carcinoma: Current Concepts and Histologic Features; Moran, CA et al. Volume 22, June 2008.
- "Abeloff's Clinical Oncology, 4th Edition;" Abeloff; 2008.
