Thymus Cancer – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!
Thymus Cancer – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments and much more is what you will learn from now on, so stay with us and discover everything about Thymus Cancer , a disease that kills more Brazilians every day. In addition, Thymus Cancer is a rare type of neoplasm.
The thymus has different types of cells, which can produce different types of cancer : epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and Kulchitsky or neuroendocrine cells. Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are tumors that start from the epithelial cells of the thymus.
In the past, thymomas were divided into benign and malignant according to their development and spread to other tissues or organs. Currently, all thymomas are considered to be potentially cancerous.
Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancer: Many tumors of the thymus can be diagnosed on x-rays taken for some other reason, before the patient has any complaints or when the patient goes to the doctor for certain signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms may be related to the tumor itself or may be due to a paraneoplastic syndrome.
While these thymus cancer signs and symptoms can be caused by thymus tumors, they can also be due to other conditions. If you experience any of the signs and symptoms listed below, see a doctor immediately so that the cause can be diagnosed and, if necessary, started treatment.
Symptoms Caused By Thymus Cancer: Tumors of the thymus can press on nearby structures, causing symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breathe.
- cough _
- Chest pain .
- Swallowing problems.
- Loss of appetite.
- weight loss .
The thymus is located near the superior vena cava, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the upper body and head to the heart . Thymus cancers that press on this vessel can cause what is called superior vena cava syndrome, which can include:
- Swelling in the face, neck and upper chest.
- Swelling of the veins that may become visible in this part of the body .
- Headaches .
- Feeling dizzy.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome
This condition is related to Thymus Cancer , but is not the direct cause of the tumor mass. For example, people with thymomas can develop autoimmune diseases , where the immune system starts attacking the body itself. Part of the thymus’ normal function is to help keep the immune system active, which may help explain why this happens.
Myasthenia Gravis: From 30% to 65% of people with thymomas also have myasthenia gravis, which is the most common autoimmune disease associated with thymoma. In this condition, the immune system produces antibodies that block the chemical signals that make the muscles move, causing severe muscle weakness. People with myasthenia gravis get tired easily. Although patients have decreased muscle strength throughout the body , symptoms caused by weakness in the eye , neck, and chest muscles can be the most troublesome.
Weakness in the eye muscles can cause blurred or double vision and drooping eyelids, while weak neck muscles can lead to problems with swallowing. Weakness of the pectoral muscles and diaphragm can cause breathing problems and shortness of breath. Myasthenia gravis can be treated with removal of the thymus or with medications.
Red Cell Aplasia: Red cell aplasia, in which the body ‘s ability to produce new red blood cells is severely reduced, occurs in about 5% of patients with thymoma.
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body ‘s tissues . Reduced production of red blood cells causes anemia . Symptoms of anemia can include weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness. The usual treatment for Thymus Cancer is removal of the thymus.
Hypogammaglobulinemia: Hypogammaglobulinemia is a disorder in which the body produces low amounts of antibodies that fight infections, leaving the individual susceptible to them. Hypogammaglobulinemia develops in about 5% to 10% of patients with thymoma.
On the other hand, 10% of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia have a thymoma. Unlike myasthenia gravis and red cell aplasia, removing the thymus does not help correct this condition .
Causes of Thymus Cancer: Some signs and symptoms may suggest that a person has Thymus Cancer , but tests and biopsies will be required to confirm the diagnosis. During the consultation, you will be asked for your complete medical history, including information about your symptoms, possible risk factors, family history, and other medical conditions.
A complete physical exam will be performed to detect possible signs of illness or other health problems . Patients with Thymus Cancer sometimes have swelling in the lower part of the neck that can be felt on palpation.
Thymus cancers are often diagnosed by recognizing signs and symptoms associated with myasthenia gravis, hypogammaglobulinemia, or red cell aplasia. If the signs and symptoms presented suggest that the patient may have Thymus Cancer , imaging tests, laboratory tests and biopsies will be requested for diagnostic confirmation and staging of the disease .
Symptoms of Thymus Cancer: The main symptoms of Thymus Cancer are persistent cough , chest pain and difficulty breathing, but other symptoms include:
- Constant weakness;
- Swelling of the face or arms;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Double vision.
Symptoms of Thymus Cancer are rare, being more frequent in cases of malignant Thymus Cancer , due to the tumor spreading to other organs.
Thymus Cancer Treatments: After diagnosis and staging of the disease , the doctor will discuss treatment options with the patient. Important factors in choosing therapy include tumor type, staging, whether it is operable, and the patient’s general health status.
Because thymus cancer is rare, it is often difficult to accurately predict the effectiveness of treatment strategies, and in many cases, the best way to treat this cancer is still unclear. The main treatments for thymus cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Depending on the treatment options defined for each patient, the medical team should be formed by specialists, such as a thoracic surgeon, pulmonologist, oncologist, neurologist, and radiotherapist. But many others may be involved during treatment, such as nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, social workers and psychologists.
It is important that all treatment options are discussed with the doctor, as well as their possible side effects, to help make the decision that best suits the needs of each patient.