Thymus Cancer (original) (raw)

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Summary

The thymus is a small organ in your upper chest, under your breastbone. Before birth and during childhood, the thymus helps the body make a type of white blood cell. These cells help protect you from infections.

Cancer of the thymus is rare. You are more likely to get it if you have other diseases such as myasthenia gravis, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Other times, thymus cancer can cause:

• A cough that doesn't go away
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing

Doctors use a physical exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy to diagnose thymus cancer. The most common treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Treatment Option Overview (Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma) (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

• Myasthenia Gravis (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Thymus Neoplasms (National Institutes of Health)

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish

• Endocrine System (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

• Childhood Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma Treatment (National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish