Thymus Cancer: MedlinePlus

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Thymus Cancer: MedlinePlus

 
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Thymus Cancer

Also called: Thymoma 

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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

The most common treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. Other options include radiation and hormone therapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Organizations That Offer Support Services

05/16/2012 08:00 PM EDT

Support Services Locator - National Cancer Institute

Source: National Cancer Institute -

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Chest radiation - discharge
• Mediastinal tumor

Related Topics

• Cancers
• Endocrine System
• Immune System

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Thymus Cancer is the National Cancer Institute