Stage 1 Thymoma: Understanding Early-Stage Thymic Cancer

Stage one thymoma is a cancer of the thymus gland that has not yet spread from its original site. It is most often seen in individuals with underlying autoimmune diseases.

Identification

• Thymoma is a rare cancer of the thymus, which is a small gland in the lymph system found underneath the breastbone. According to the National Cancer Institute, thymoma is a slow growing cancer and is generally diagnosed while still in stage one.

Cancer Stages

• The American Cancer Society reports that all types of cancers are classified with a number from one to four, depending on whether the cancer has spread and how far. Stage one refers to cancer that has not spread from its original site. This is the stage during which the disease is most treatable.

Risk Factors

• The Fox Chase Cancer Center reports that people suffering from myasthenia gravis are at a higher risk of acquiring this type of cancer. They also report that people who are diagnosed with thymoma often have other underlying diseases as well, such as polymyositis, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, the standard treatment for stage one thymoma is surgery to remove the tumor. The surgeon will extirpate all visible cancer, and may also follow up with radiation therapy to kill any cancer cells that may be present, but not yet visible to the naked eye. Follow-up tests will then be done to determine if the cancer has recurred.