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Thymus Cancer
Understanding Your Diagnosis Deciding on Treatment Managing Side Effects Cancer FAQs Advanced Reading
Thymus cancer is rare and occurs in the thymus, a small organ in the front part of the chest under the breastbone. The thymus produces an immune system cell called a T-lymphocyte.
Overview
Doctors divided thymic tumors into several types, depending on where in the thymus they develop and how they progress. All thymic tumors are rare.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
People with thymic tumors usually do not have symptoms until the tumor is big enough to press against air passages and blood vessels in the area of the thymus, or against the ribcage or breastbone.
Deciding on Treatment
Your treatment plan depends on the type and extent of your disease. You may need surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. Follow-up exams are an important part of treatment.
Managing Side Effects
Side effects affect each person differently. Some people have none, and others may have several. Your health care team can suggest ways to ease the side effects that you experience.
Advanced Reading
Learn more about thymus cancer from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Physician Data Query (PDQ®) for patients. It includes information about prevention, screening, and treatment.
