The thymus gland has important functions in the body. The thymus gland is an indispensable organ of the immune system, while it is larger in childhood, it becomes too small to be seen in adolescence. Cancer can also occur in the thymus gland. However, thymus gland cancers are among the rarest of all cancers. The most common type of thymus gland cancer is also known as a thymoma tumor. Since thymoma tumor is a disease that progresses very slowly, the patient’s life expectancy may be longer than other types of cancer. The exact cause of thymus gland cancer is not yet known. As in every disease, early detection of thymus gland cancer and making the necessary treatment planning are important for the quality of life and duration of the patients.
What is the Thymus Gland?
The thymus gland is located behind the breastbone (sternum), in front of the trachea, below the thyroid gland, and in front of the heart. It is a small, encapsulated pink-gray organ resembling the letter H. The thymus gland, which is large at birth, may become invisible by shrinking during adolescence. In older adults, it is estimated to weigh about 5 grams. The thymus gland, which is slightly larger in size in boys than in girls, can be seen on direct radiographs in children up to 3 years of age. Although the thymus gland becomes invisible by decreasing its size after puberty, it continues its functions for a lifetime.
What are the Functions of the Thymus Gland?
The thymus gland is one of the little-known organs, but it has important functions in the body. The thymus gland is an indispensable organ of the immune system, fully developed at the time of birth. It produces T cells, one of the most important elements of the immune system. The thymus gland produces antibodies against microorganisms that are foreign to the body. The thymus gland, along with the tonsils, adenoids, and spleen, is part of both the lymphatic system and the endocrine system. T cells that help destroy infected or cancerous cells in the body are produced by the thymus gland. T cells created by the thymus also help other organs in the immune system grow properly.
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What is Thymus Gland Cancer?
Thymus gland cancer is a rare type of cancer. There are two types of cancers in the thymus gland. The most common type of cancer in the thymus gland is defined as thymoma cancer. Another very rare type of cancer in the thymus gland is called thymic carcinoma.
What is Thymic Carcinoma?
Thymic carcinoma tumors are rare cancers of the thymus gland. Thymic carcinoma tumors grow faster. In addition, it can spread more quickly to other parts of the body. Therefore, the treatment of thymic carcinoma tumors is more difficult. Having autoimmune conditions is much rarer with thymic carcinoma than it is with thymoma.
How Is Thymoma Tumors Diagnosed?
Since thymoma tumors often progress without any symptoms, they are usually discovered by chance during examinations for another disease. Unless the enlargement in the thymus gland is too large, it is not seen on the chest X-ray. When the size and shape change in the dethymus gland is noticed in PET/CT taken for CT, MRI or other reasons, the diagnosis is made by performing a biopsy. Biopsy is taken by fine needle aspiration biopsy, mediastinotomy and VATS (video-mediated thoracoscopic surgery). Since fine needle aspiration biopsy has a lower accuracy rate, the VATS method is most commonly used.
What Are the Stages of Thymoma Tumors?
Thymoma tumor has 4 stages:
- Thymoma tumor stage 1: Thymoma tumor is still in the capsule in the first stage.
- Thymoma tumor Stage 2: In the second stage, the thymoma tumor may have spread to the capsule and may have progressed to the surrounding fatty tissues.
- Thymoma tumor Stage 3: In the third stage, thymoma tumor may have reached the surrounding tissues outside the capsule, trachea, lung and heart membrane.
- Thymoma tumor Stage 4: In the fourth stage, thymoma tumor can spread to the pleura and other distant organs.
What is the Treatment for Thymoma Tumors?
Treatment of thymoma tumor is done according to its stage. Thymoma tumors diagnosed in the early stages are treated only by surgical methods. The lesion is removed by thoracoscopic or open surgical technique. In the more advanced stages of thymoma tumors, chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy can be combined with surgical treatment, and thymomas that spread to distant organs are not operated.
Frequently asked Questions
The causes of thymoma tumors are not fully known yet. It has been determined that early infection with EBV virus and radiotherapy may pose a risk in thymoma. Studies are underway to determine whether thymoma tumors are a genetic disease.
Myasthenia gravis is a disease related to the nervous-muscular system. Patients usually feel better when they wake up in the morning, but the general condition of the patients gradually worsens during the day. The disease can also occur in the form of a drooping eyelid. Symptoms are mostly around the face, eyes, mouth; It manifests itself in the form of difficulty in the tongue, chewing and swallowing muscles.
Diagnosis and treatment of thymus gland cancer is done by thoracic surgeons in the thoracic surgery department of hospitals.
Thymus gland cancer occurs equally in men and women.
Thymus gland cancer, especially thymoma tumors, is so rare that it is not seen in childhood, it is mostly seen in the 50s and 60s.
