Thymic cancer
Thymic cancer, also known as thymoma or thymic carcinoma, is a rare cancer that affects the thymus gland, which is located in the chest behind the breastbone.
Thymic cancers are classified as either thymoma or thymic carcinoma, based on their characteristics and behavior.
Symptoms of thymic cancer may include chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Treatment options for thymic cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. Due to the rarity of thymic cancer, it can be challenging to find reliable information and support.
As with all cancers, early detection and treatment can greatly improve outcomes for patients with thymic cancer.
Diagnosing thymic cancer involves a variety of tests and procedures to evaluate the size, location, and extent of the cancer. Some patients with thymoma or thymic carcinoma, about 30% have no symptoms when diagnosed. These are typically detected when doctors are looking for other things, such as a routine chest X-ray.
With other patients, typical symptoms include:
- Persistent Coughing
- Chest pain
- Upper airway congestion.
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Arm or facial swelling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Increased risk of infection
Thymoma
Thymoma is the most common type of thymic cancer and accounts for about 50% of cases. Thymomas are typically slow-growing and may be benign or malignant.
Thymic carcinoma
Thymic carcinomas are more aggressive than thymomas and are usually malignant. They account for about 15% of thymic cancer cases.
Survival rates for thymic cancer vary depending on the stage of cancer at diagnosis, the type of thymic cancer, and other factors such as the patient’s overall health. Despite being rare cancer, survival rates for thymic cancer have been improving in recent years with advances in treatment options.
In general, recovery is faster for people who received only surgery, compared with people who received a combination of treatments. And people who received minimally invasive surgery will recover faster than those who had open surgery.
Your care does not end when your active treatment ends. You will need to have regular checkups, including scans, to make sure the cancer has not returned. The frequency of these checkups depends on the type and stage of cancer you had.
"I want to keep living for as long as I can, so I had to hope for a successful treatment."