What is the prognosis for thymus cancer?
Typically, thymomas are slower growing and more responsive to treatment than thymic carcinomas. As a result, the survival rate is generally higher for patients with thymoma. However, a number of individual factors can influence a patient’s prognosis, regardless of which type of thymic cancer he or she has been diagnosed with.
What are the symptoms of an enlarged thymus?
- Swelling in the face, neck, and upper chest, sometimes with a bluish color
- Swelling of the visible veins in this part of the body
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
Does having an enlarged thymus gland mean cancer?
The cause of thymus gland cancer is not known, but is caused when the usual cell growth mechanisms get disrupted, causing unending growth of cells. Thymic tumors are only evident, when thymus presses over the trachea (windpipe) or blood vessels producing symptoms. What causes an enlarged thymus gland?
What causes an enlarged thymus gland in an adult?
There are many possible causes for an enlarged thymus gland in adults. In normal adults, the thymus gland should be barely visible. Some of the causes are benign, but others are worrisome. These include benign thymomas, thymic carcinomas (cancers), thymic neuroendocrine tumors, thymic hyperplasia (abnormal increase in cell numbers), thymic cysts, and thymolipomas.
What does thymus mean in medical terms?
(THY-mus) An organ that is part of the lymphatic system, in which T lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.
What is the term for a benign tumor of the thymus?
Thymoma facts A thymoma is a type of tumor or growth in the thymus gland. Thymic tumors are tumors of the thymus gland. Physicians describe thymomas in terms of their degree of spread.
What word means inflammation of the thymus?
thymitis[ thī-mī′tĭs ] n. Inflammation of the thymus gland.
What is thymus cancer?
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form on the outside surface of the thymus. The thymus, a small organ that lies in the upper chest under the breastbone, is part of the lymph system. It makes white blood cells, called lymphocytes, that protect the body against infections.
Which of the following medical terms means removal of the thymus?
A thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland, which has been shown to play a role in the development of myasthenia gravis.
What causes a thymoma tumor?
Causes and risk factors There are no known causes or risk factors for thymomas. But there seems to be a relationship between thymic cancers and a few autoimmune paraneoplastic disorders, particularly myasthenia gravis (MG).
What is the definition of thymoma?
Listen to pronunciation. (thy-MOH-muh) A tumor of the thymus, an organ that is part of the lymphatic system and is located in the chest, behind the breastbone.
Which word part means thymus gland?
The word part that completes the medical term meaning tumor of the thymus gland, _______/oma, is: thym.
What causes thymus hyperplasia?
Thymic hyperplasia is an increase in size and weight of a thymus gland that is otherwise normal. It usually is a rebound phenomenon after atrophy caused by corticosteroids or chemotherapy, and it occurs several months after resolution of the cause of atrophy. Occasionally, it may result from hyperthyroidism.
Are all thymus tumors cancerous?
A non-cancerous (benign) tumour of the thymus is a growth that does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Non-cancerous tumours are not usually life-threatening. They may be removed with surgery and do not usually come back (recur). Non-cancerous tumours of the thymus are rare.
Is a thymoma always cancer?
However, thymoma is now considered to be always possibility malignant and the best way to determine if the condition will recur after treatment is to examine if the tumors have spread to other areas. See also emphysema, mediastinal tumors, mesothelioma and sarcoidosis for other lung diseases.
How common is cancer of the thymus?
Although thymic tumors are the most common tumors in the anterior mediastinum (the front part of the chest cavity), overall they are rare. They occur at a rate of only 1.5 cases for every million people each year in the US. This works out to about 400 cases per year (the exact number diagnosed each year is not known).
What is thymic hyperplasia?
What is Thymic Hyperplasia? Thymic hyperplasia is a condition in which the thymus gland is inflamed. This is a benign condition and can be associated with a number of other medical conditions, such as thyroid abnormalities. Thymic hyperplasia can also be seen in association with MG.
Is fibroma malignant?
Are fibromas cancerous? Fibromas are benign, meaning they are noncancerous growths.
What are mediastinal masses?
Mediastinal tumors are growths that form in the area of the chest that separates the lungs. This area, called the mediastinum, is surrounded by the breastbone in front, the spine in back, and the lungs on each side. The mediastinum contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, thymus, trachea, lymph nodes and nerves.
Is thymoma a lymphoma?
Thymic epithelial cells line the thymus. This is where thymoma and thymic carcinoma start. Lymphocytes. If lymphocytes become cancerous, they can develop into a type of cancer called lymphoma.
What is thymoma and thymic carcinoma?
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the thymus.
Where is thymoma found?
The thymus is a small organ that lies in the upper chest above the heart and under the breastbone. It is part of the lymph system and makes white blood cells, called lymphocytes, that help fight infection. These cancers usually form between the lungs in the front part of the chest and are sometimes found during a chest x-ray that is done for another reason.
What is the purpose of a thymoma test?
After thymoma or thymic carcinoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread to nearby areas or to other parts of the body.
How to tell if thymoma is spreading?
The process used to find out if thymoma or thymic carcinoma has spread from the thymus to nearby areas or other parts of the body is called staging. Thymoma and thymic carcinoma may spread to the lungs, chest wall, major vessels, esophagus, or the lining around the lungs and heart. The results of tests and procedures done to diagnose thymoma or thymic carcinoma are used to help make decisions about treatment.
What is the function of lymphocytes in thymoma?
It makes white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which protect the body against infections. Even though thymoma and thymic carcinoma form in the same type of cell, they act differently: Thymoma. The cancer cells look a lot like the normal cells of the thymus, grow slowly, and rarely spread beyond the thymus.
What is the most common autoimmune paraneoplastic disease linked with thymoma?
Autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases linked with thymoma include: Myasthenia gravis (the most common autoimmune paraneoplastic disease linked with thymoma).
What is the most common treatment for thymoma?
Surgery to remove the tumor is the most common treatment of thymoma.
Where is the thymus located?
A small glandular organ that is situated behind the top of the breastbone, consisting mainly of lymphatic tissue and serving as the site of T cell differentiation. The thymus increases gradually in size and activity until puberty, after which it begins to atrophy.
What is the lack of thymus?
Lack of a thymus or thymus hypoplasia is one component of DiGeorge syndrome, which is marked by severe lack of cell-mediated immunity; removal of the thymus of an adult is less catastrophic but leads to a less effective response to new antegens. Thymic hyperplasia results from the growth of lymph follicles containing both B lymphocytes and dendritic cells. It is found in myasthenia gravis and, occasionally, in other autoimmune diseases (e.g., Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus). Thymomas involve only the thymic epithelial cells. Other tumors, including those associated with Hodgkin's disease and lymphomas, involve thymocytes.
What organ differentiates T cells into T1 and T2?
The thymus processes primitive LYMPHOCYTES so that they differentiate into the T cells of the immune system. It also differentiates T cells into T1 and T2 classes, a process that is influenced by the early environment of the individual.
Where is the lymphoid organ located?
[TA] A primary lymphoid organ, located in the superior and anterior mediastinum and lower part of the neck, that is necessary in early life for the normal development of immunologic function. It reaches its greatest relative weight shortly after birth and its greatest absolute weight at puberty; it then begins to involute, and much of the lymphoid tissue is replaced by fat. The thymus consists of two irregularly shaped parts united by a connective tissue capsule. Each part is partially subdivided by connective tissue septa into lobules, 0.5-2 mm in diameter, which consist of an inner medullary portion, continuous with the medullae of adjacent lobules, and an outer cortical portion. It is supplied by the inferior thyroid and internal thoracic arteries, and its nerves are derived from the vagus and sympathetic nerves.
Where is the endocrine gland located?
an endocrine gland situated in the neck region of most vertebrates, but close to the heart in mammals. It produces LYMPHOCYTES which then move to lymph nodes. The thymus produces a hormone called thymosin which causes the lymphocytes to form ANTIBODY -producing plasma cells immediately after birth, but regresses in adult animals.
What are the symptoms of a tumor in the thymus?
Tumors in the thymus can press on nearby structures, causing symptoms such as: Shortness of breath. Cough (which may bring up bloody sputum) Chest pain. Trouble swallowing. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. The thymus is near the superior vena cava, the main blood vessel bringing blood from the head and upper body to the heart.
What is the function of the thymus?
Part of the normal function of the thymus is to help keep the immune system in check, which may help explain why this happens. Myasthenia gravis: About 30% to 65% of people with thymomas also have myasthenia gravis (MG). This is by far the most common autoimmune disease associated with thymomas. In this disease, the immune system forms antibodies ...
Why do people have thymomas?
For example, people with thymomas may develop autoimmune diseases, where the immune system starts to attack the body itself . Part of the normal function of the thymus is to help keep the immune system in check, which may help explain why this happens.
Does removing the thymus help with thymoma?
Removing the thymus does not help correct this disease. Other autoimmune diseases: Many other autoimmune diseases have also been linked to thymoma. However, they are much less common than myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia, or hypogammaglobulinemia.
Can thymus tumors be caused by other conditions?
These may be related to the tumor itself, or they may be part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. Although these signs and symptoms might be caused by thymus tumors, they can also be caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Can thymus cancer be found on x-rays?
Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancers. Many thymic tumors are found on an x-ray or scan done for some other reason, before the patient has symptoms. The rest are brought to the attention of a doctor after a person starts to have symptoms. These may be related to the tumor itself, or they may be part of a paraneoplastic syndrome.
Do people with autoimmune diseases have thymoma?
Most people who have these autoimmune diseases do not have a thymoma.
What is the term for the death of the pituitary gland?
A pituitary infarction is the death of the pituitary gland due to blockage.
What is a thyroid test?
It is a test performed to evaluate the function of the thyroid.
What does "exophthalmos" mean?
Exophthalmos breaks into ex (out ) + ophthalmos (eye) = protrusion of the eyes out of the eye socket and is a condition related to the thyroid.
How to figure out a medical term?
When translating a medical term, one can usually figure out the definition by interpreting the suffix first, then the prefix, and finally the root or roots.
What is the thymus gland?
The thymus gland enlarges during childhood, peaks in size at puberty (about 40 grams), and then begins to shrink. Normally, a combination of lymphoid cells (immune cells or lymphocytes) and lining cells (epithelial cells) makes up the thymus. Thymoma is a type of tumor that originates from the epithelial or lining cells of the thymus.
What is thymoma?
A thymoma is a rare type of tumor of the thymus gland. The thymus is a gland located in the anterior mediastinum (the area between the two lungs and the sternum in the chest) that plays a critical role in the development of immune cells (lymphocytes) during childhood. The thymus gland enlarges during childhood, peaks in size at puberty (about 40 grams), and then begins to shrink.
What causes thymoma, and what are risk factors for thymoma?
Thymomas are equally common in men and in women and are most frequently seen in the fourth and fifth decades of life. There are no known risk factors that predispose a person to developing thymoma.
What are signs and symptoms of thymoma?
In other cases, the tumor may cause symptoms related to the size of the tumor and the pressure it exerts on adjacent organs.
What other types of medical conditions are associated with thymoma?
A number of health conditions have been associated with thymoma. Medical conditions associated with cancers are paraneoplastic syndromes, and up to 50%-60% of patients with thymoma will have one of these related health conditions. The most commonly associated condition with thymoma is myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease of the nerve-muscle junction that can manifest as weakness, fatigue, double vision, ptosis (drooping eyelids), and problems with swallowing.
How do health care professionals diagnose a thymoma?
If a thymoma is not causing symptoms, health care professionals may identify it incidentally, meaning it is found on an imaging test of the chest (for example, X-ray, computerized tomography or CT scan) that is performed for another reason. If symptoms are present, health care providers may carry out chest X-rays or other imaging studies, such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) scans or the combination of PET and CT scans, to identify the source of the symptoms.
What are the stages of thymoma?
The stage of a tumor refers to the extent to which it has spread to other local organs and tissues or to other parts of the body. There are two commonly used staging systems for thymoma, both of which classify the tumors as stage 1 through stage 4, depending upon the extent of spread and the degree of tissue invasion. While there are some differences in the two methods used to stage thymomas, a stage 1 tumor represents an encapsulated tumor (surrounded by a capsular structure) that has not spread outside of the thymus gland. Stage 4 represents the opposite extreme, in which invasion and spread to distant organs has occurred. Locally recurrent thymoma refers to the situation in which a tumor returns in the same area after its surgical removal.
