Dorothy FarrarThymoma
A thymoma is a tumor of the thymus gland. The occurrence is very rare. At the same time, a benign change can be diagnosed in about three-quarters of patients. Because tissue proliferation can also be malignant, a detailed examination is important.
What is a thymoma?
A malignant thymoma belongs to the group of rare cancers. In general, the disease can make itself felt at any age. Statistically, however, especially people between 60 and 70 suffer from these complaints. In most cases, the tumor is only discovered by chance during another examination. In order to make the important differentiation between a benign or malignant tumor, a sample of the tissue must be taken.
The thymus gland can be located behind the sternum. When a thymoma develops, it usually occupies the space between the lungs. In front of the gland is the sternum, behind it the thoracic vertebrae. The interior, known as the mediastinum, also includes the heart, esophagus and important blood vessels. Depending on its size, a thymoma can cause, for example, shortness of breath and coughing.
Causes
A thymoma is a rare change. In Germany, about 1 to 2 patients per 500,000 inhabitants can be diagnosed every year. There is no difference between men and women, who are equally affected. Why exactly it comes to a thymoma has not yet been clearly clarified. However, there seem to be specific links between a tumor in the region and other diseases. Thus, a thymoma occurs increasingly in the accompaniment of anemia or a lack of antibodies.
Furthermore, an autoimmune disease is often encountered during diagnosis. One example is Sjögren’s syndrome. Here, the organism forms antibodies against its own lacrimal gland, so that it is permanently inflamed. Myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica and arthritis also occur. In myasthenia gravis pseudoparalytica, there is a suspicion that the tumor triggers the disease by releasing certain antibodies directed against the muscles.
Ultimately, it results in a degenerate cell that divides again and again, creating the tissue of the tumor. Both genetic conditions and environmental factors are said to be responsible for development.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of thymoma:
- Feeling of pressure in the chest
A thymoma usually only leads to complaints when the tumor has reached advanced stages and presses other structures with its size. For example, there is a permanent cough that cannot be treated by conventional cold medication or a feeling of pressure in the chest. If the tumor is located on the trachea, shortness of breath becomes noticeable. If the esophagus is restricted due to a narrowing caused by the tumor, swallowing can be difficult.
In the context of cardiac dysfunction, fatigue can quickly occur at the same time. The prognosis for a thymoma is good, even if it is a malignant tumor. The course is closely related to the size and location of the tissue growth. The aim of treatment is usually to surgically remove the tumor, if the location permits.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis begins with a conversation in which symptoms and previous illnesses are explained. If the doctor suspects a thymoma, he will probably first resort to a chest X-Ray . Because the tumor usually only becomes apparent at a late stage, it is usually discovered by chance during another examination. A computed tomography determines the exact location of the tumor. A tissue sample is taken to find out whether the change is benign or malignant.
treatment and therapy
If the tumor allows, it is removed during surgery. At the same time, the doctors remove the connective, fatty and lymphatic tissue around the tumor. If the thymoma was recognized directly in the first stage and treated accordingly, the treatment is usually completed after the successful removal. In more advanced phases, Radiotherapy must be used after the operation . This destroys any remaining cancer cells.
By using surgery and radiotherapy together, the risk of recurrence is much lower. However, sometimes the tumor cannot be operated on. This is the case if it has reached a certain size, have already spread in the body or the patient is too weak for surgery. If one of the factors is present, chemotherapy is used.
In general, an operation does not have to rule out chemotherapy. For example, the tumor can first be reduced in size with chemotherapy before it is surgically removed. Another treatment option is the hormones Somatostatin. This is also able to reduce tissue growth. The hormone is often prescribed after surgery or a relapse.
Prevention
A tumor cannot be prevented because the underlying causes have not been fully deciphered. However, some assumptions assume that a Healthy lifestyle with little animal protein and sufficient exercise can have a positive effect.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.