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In medicine (oncology), thymoma is a tumor originating from the thymus. It consists of any type of thymic epithelial cell as well as lymphocytes that are usually abundant and probably not neoplastic. Thymoma usually is benign, and frequently encapsulated; when occasionally malignant, then it is invasive: metastasis is extremely rare. Malignant lymphomas that involve the thymus, e.g., lymphosarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease (termed “granulomatous thymoma” in the past), should not be regarded as thymoma. Thymoma is a rare disease, best known for its enigmatic association with the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis.[1]
A third of all people with a thymoma have symptoms due to compression of the surrounding organs by an expansive mass. This may take the form of superior vena cava syndrome (compression of the upper caval vein), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), cough or chest pain.[1]
A third have a thymoma detected because they have an associated autoimmune disorder. The most common condition in this group is myasthenia gravis (of which 10-15% are associated with a thymoma and 30-45% of patients with thymomas have MG); patients with myasthenia are routinely screened for thymoma. Other associated autoimmune conditions are pure red cell aplasia and Good’s syndrome (thymoma with combined immunodeficiency and hypogammaglobulinemia). Rare associations that have been reported are: acute pericarditis, Addison’s disease, agranulocytosis, alopecia areata, ulcerative colitis, Cushing’s disease, hemolytic anemia, limbic encephalopathy, myocarditis, nephrotic syndrome, panhypopituitarism, pernicious anemia, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, sensorimotor radiculopathy, stiff person syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroiditis.[1]
A third to half of all people with a thymoma have no symptoms at all, and the mass is identified on a chest X-ray performed for an unrelated problem.[1]
When a thymic mass is identified, the diagnosis is confrmed with a histology (obtaining a tissue sample of the mass) study. When a thymoma is suspected, a CT/CAT scan is generally performed to estimate the size of the tumor, and can be biopsied with a CT-guided needle. There is a small risk of pneumomediastinum, mediastinitis and the risk of damaging the heart or large blood vessels. The final diagnosis is made by removing the thymus. Pathological investigation of the specimen will reveal if the tumor was benign or malignant, although the initial biopsy is usually indicative.[1]
The tumor is generally located inside the thymus, and can be calcified. Increased vascular enhancement can be indicative of malignancy, as can be pleural deposits.[1]
If the suspicion is high, some blood tests are often performed to look for associated problems or possible spread. These include: full blood count, protein electrophoresis, antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (indicative of myasthenia), electrolytes, liver enzymes and renal function.[1]
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