What is the treatment for thymus?
Surgery. The most common surgery for thymus tumors is complete removal of the thymus (including any tumor), called a thymectomy. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be administered before surgery to try to shrink the tumor so that it can be more easily removed completely.
Can thymoma be cured without surgery?
Based on the data from the retrospective database of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) only about 1% of patients are not treated surgically in any way. These patients received palliative chemotherapy (0.7%, n=27), chemoradiation (0.3%, n=10) or radiation (0.2%, n=7).
How is thymus cancer treated?
Surgery is the main treatment for thymus cancer. The surgeon removes all of the thymus, or as much of it as possible. This operation is called a thymectomy. The type of operation you have depends on the stage of the cancer.
What kind of doctor treats thymus gland?
Thoracic surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in chest surgery. Radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.
What is a thymus disorder?
The most common thymus diseases are myasthenia gravis (MG), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and hypogammaglobulinemia, according to the NLM. Myasthenia gravis occurs when the thymus is abnormally large and produces antibodies that block or destroy the muscles’ receptor sites.
How do you increase your thymus?
Zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin C are perhaps the most critical. Supplementation with these nutrients has been shown to improve thymic hormone function and cell-mediated immunity. Zinc may be the critical mineral involved in thymus gland function and thymus hormone action.
What happens if thymus gland is removed?
The thymus is part of the body’s immune system, and plays its largest role early in a person’s development. Surgical removal of the thymus has no effect on the immune system for someone after they are born.
Do thymomas grow back?
Recurrent thymoma and thymic carcinoma is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the thymus or in other parts of the body. Thymic carcinomas commonly recur. Thymomas may recur after a long time.
Can you live without a thymus?
The thymus rests on the heart and functions as a “schoolhouse” for immune cells. As cells pass through the thymus they are trained to become T cells, white blood cells that fight infection. A person without a thymus does not produce these T cells and, therefore, is at great risk for developing infections.
What does thymus feel like?
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.