Thymus Cancer 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 National Cancer Institute Find an Expert American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute NCI Designated Cancer Centers National Cancer Institute Organizations That Offer Support Services National Cancer Institute Diagnosis and Tests Can Thymus Cancer Be Found Early? American Cancer Society Stages of Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma National Cancer Institute Array Chest radiation – discharge Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Thymus Neoplasms National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute Endocrine System (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Thymus Gland Anatomy National Cancer Institute Start Here General Information about Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma National Cancer Institute What Is Thymus Cancer? American Cancer Society Encyclopedia Mediastinal tumor Related Issues Myasthenia Gravis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Thymus Cancer? American Cancer Society Journal Articles Thymus Cancer Statistics and Research Survival Rates for Thymus Cancer American Cancer Society What Are the Key Statistics about Thymus Cancers? American Cancer Society What’s New in Research and Treatment for Thymus Cancer? American Cancer Society Treatments and Therapies Thymectomy: Common Questions Patients Ask about Thymectomies Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Treatment Options for Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma National Cancer Institute Specifics Thymoma American Society of Clinical Oncology Prevention and Risk Factors What Are the Risk Factors for Thymus Cancer? American Cancer Society Patient Handouts What to Know about External Beam Radiation Therapy National Cancer Institute
