Thymoma is a tumor originating from the thymus gland. The thymus gland is the site of the production of T-lymphocytes, which have an important place in the body's defense system until adolescence.
What are the Symptoms of Thymoma?
Thymoma may not cause symptoms, but when it grows, it presses on the trachea and causes bronchitis-like cough.
If it gets bigger, it may cause swelling and redness on the face due to the pressure it creates on the surrounding veins. This condition is called "vena cava superior syndrome".
When it spreads (metastasizes) to the lung, it can cause shortness of breath.
About 35% of patients with thymoma are accompanied by "Myasthenia Gravis" disease.
Myasthenia Gravis is a nerve conduction disorder. The person has difficulties in seeing, swallowing and breathing. The most prominent complaint in patients with myasthenia gravis is fatigue, which manifests itself with muscle fatigue later in the day. Thymoma accompanies 15% of patients with Myasthenia Gravis. This condition, called para-neoplastic syndrome, resolves with treatment of thymoma.
What are the Stages of Thymoma?
Stage 1: At this stage, the tumor is confined to a capsule.
Stage 2: At this stage the tumor has invaded the capsule or has progressed to the surrounding fatty tissue.
Stage 3: At this stage, the thymoma exceeds the capsule and reaches the surrounding tissues; It extends to the trachea, lungs, vessels, and pericardium.
Stage 4: At this stage, thymoma spreads to the pleura or distant organs.
How to Diagnose Thymoma?
Thymoma; usually cannot be diagnosed on chest X-ray. Computed tomography is required. In some cases, MRI scans are also helpful. In doubtful cases, PET-CT may be required.
After showing the lesion, the diagnosis can be made by needle biopsies or open/thorascopic methods. However, it is less likely to make a correct diagnosis with needle biopsy.
How Is Thymoma Treated?
If patients have Myasthenia Gravis, first of all, it is treated by the neurology department. After control is achieved in Myasthenia Gravis, thymoma treatment is started. Thymoma is treated according to the stage.
Stage 1-2: Thymoma is surgically removed. chemo after surgery No therapy or radiotherapy is required. We apply Robotic surgery or VATS at this stage of the operation.
Stage 3: Chemotherapy can be applied before surgery. Thus, the spread of the tumor to the surrounding tissues is retarded. In the follow-up, the thymoma is surgically removed. Chemotherapy may need to be continued after surgery. However, if it has spread only to the pleura, the operation can be performed in experienced and knowledgeable centers. After the operation, additional chemotherapy and, if necessary, radiotherapy will be required.
What are Thymoma Surgery Methods?
The surgery to be performed is decided according to the stage of the disease. When the diagnosis of thymoma is made in the early period, minimally invasive methods (videothoracoscopic or robotic) can be operated. It is an important center known even abroad, and our team has signed studies that are cited as references in the literature.
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