Question 1

What is recovery like after having a thymoma removed?

Accepted Answer

Standard approach would be through a sternotomy (splitting the breast bone) which would typically require 4-6 weeks recovery. There are minimally invasive alternatives (thoracoscopy or robotic surgery) for selected patients with thymoma that usually have shorter recovery (2-3 weeks).

Question 2

What is an atypical thymoma?

Accepted Answer

I don't mean to shock you, but it is a type of cancer or pre-cancerous tumor. The thymus is a gland that sits on/near the heart. It is largest and probably most active during childhood, and shrinks as we age. It is involved in developing specialized cells of the immune system. A thymoma is uncontrolled growth of the cells of the gland. The specific type can result in many different outcomes and rx.

Question 3

What is affected by thymoma?

Accepted Answer

Which is found behind your sternum (breastbone).

Question 4

How fast does a thymoma grow?

Accepted Answer

This link may provide more information.  If you have a thymoma, i encourage referral to qualified minimally invasive thoracic surgeon.  Thymoma can often be removed minimally invasively with robotic or vats approach. The following links may provide more information: http://goo.Gl/mqtn1 and this one: http://goo.Gl/oetwz and this one: http://goo.Gl/yjnh5.

Question 5

How do you diagnose a thymoma?

Accepted Answer

A ct scan should show the swelling and a biopsy should confirm it.

Question 6

What are the tests for thymoma?

Accepted Answer

Ct imaging can help the environment, both location and size. Blood tests are used to help clarify its presence, and look for associations with myasthenia gravis. Testing that can done and include test to see for associations to myasthenia gravis, that include antibodies to acetylcholine receptor, blood counts, chemical panels looking at liver and kidney, immune  evaluation of the cells inside.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of thymoma?

Accepted Answer

Up to half of people can have  no symptoms. It can be found by accident when a chest  film or ct scan is performed and a  mass is found.Since it is the middle of the chest and if it grows large it can cause compression symptoms such as trouble swallowing or chest pain. It is looked  for with certain diseases: myathenia gravis and can be associated with connective tissue and autoimmune diseases.

Question 8

Does a thymoma cause you to gain weight?

Accepted Answer

Not usually. In fact if it is malignant, one might lose weight.

Question 9

Can there be such a thing as a benign thymoma?

Accepted Answer

Thymoma is a low grade cancer and should be removed in it's earliest stage. http://goo.gl/mqtn1.

Question 10

I have just recently learned that i have a thymoma and my former husband had one 8 years ago?  seem strange? i thought that this was rare? does it seem strange that we both would have one.

Accepted Answer

I presume you already had surgery and hope you are doing well.  You are correct that thymomas are very rare tumors with only about 500 diagnosed every year in the us.  There are no known environmental or viral causes that would have put both you and your husband at risk for this type of tumor.

What is recovery like after having a thymoma removed