Before I had my thymectomy in 2005, my ct scan didn't show any problems. However, I did have a Stage II malignant tumor for which I had 28 radiation treatments. I only had the thymectomy because I had swollen lymph nodes in my chest and they needed a biopsy to rule out Hodgkin's. They could have done it with a less invasive procedure, but I insisted if they were going to put me to sleep and work in my chest, they were going to remove my thymus too. My neuro agreed with me and we went ahead with the fully invasive procedure. I have never been sorry because thymic cancer is aggressive and I may not be alive 9 years later if they had not discovered he tumor.

This type of decision can only be made between you and your doctor. In my case, when I was diagnosed in 2000 at age 50, they told me I was to old for a thymectomy. Times change and I was 55 when I had the surgery and I wasn't to old then!

Good luck with your decision and you're doing the right thing getting all the information you can.