Thymoma Removal: Understanding Treatment Options & Procedures

Located above your heart is a small organ known as the thymus. Thymoma tumors develop when cancerous cells form within the thymus. Cancerous cells of the thymus rarely metastasize to other locations in the body. Thymoma cancer is difficult to diagnose as the disease doesn't always produce symptoms. Your physician may find a tumor during a routine X-ray. Treatments for thymoma depend on the severity of your condition and your physician's recommendations.

Things You'll Need

• Surgery
• Medications
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy

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Instructions

• 1

  Have your physician examine a biopsy sample.

  Get examined by your physician to classify the severity of your thymoma before pursuing treatment options. A biopsy will need to be taken to examine the tissue sample under a microscope.

• 2

  Undergo chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can help shrink a tumor prior to surgery, according to the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

• 3

  Undergo radiation as another form of treatment if tumors are minimal in size. Radiation can also be used in conjunction with surgery.

• 4

  Undergo surgery if necessary.

  Receive surgery if your physician suggests this procedure. You may need all or part of a tumor removed. Surrounding lymph nodes and affected tissue may be taken out as well.