Thymoma - A Rare Type of Cancer - HTI CENTERS

What is thymoma?

Thymoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the thymus gland.

It is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 75.

The risk of developing thymoma is associated with a history of autoimmune paraneoplastic syndromes. In autoimmune paraneoplastic syndromes, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing unpleasant symptoms.

In the early stages of thymoma, patients do not have symptoms, but discomfort occurs when the tumor spreads to organs in the chest.

Signs of thymoma include pain and breathing problems, including:

• Chest pain or tightness in the chest;

• A cough that does not go away;

• Shortness of breath;

• Difficulty swallowing.

If the tumor has blocked the vena cava, symptoms may include:

• Cough;

• Shortness of breath;

• Fatigue;

• Dizziness;

• Headache;

• Swelling in the neck and face;

• Swelling in the upper extremities;

• Bulging veins in the upper body.

Symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome include:

• Blurred vision;

• Anemia;

• Frequent infections.

It is not known or confirmed which genetic or environmental factors cause thymoma; research on this topic is still ongoing - scientists are trying to find a possible connection between viruses, genetic predisposition and other forms of cancer.

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6196-thymoma-and-thymic-carcinoma