Well, Nicky, isn't that a kick in the head. I think a 2nd opinion from an oncologist/hematologist is a great idea. Maybe even a 3rd opinion from an expert in thymomas, if you have one in your area.
That begs the question: Is anyone an expert in thymomas?!
It's rare and has not been studied a lot. When I was considering a thymectomy way back when it was hard to find anything conclusive on MG and thymectomy let alone MG and a thymoma. Here are a few articles, which you've probably already seen.
http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/co...ract/79/6/1834
http://books.google.com/books?id=Nye...iation&f=false
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer...itle=Treatment
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12400741
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cancernet/201248.html
I suppose you could be followed closely for awhile to see if there are signs of it coming back. But the ironic thing is that radiation from CT scans if very high; probably as high as radiation therapy.
You asked a lot of questions and now I am dizzy!
Autoimmune issues are complex and I doubt the only causative factor is being without your thymus. Having any kind of surgery could kick off an autoimmune disease. I got celiac after my hysterectomy. But stress and lots of other triggers can bring on a disease too. I think we all have the chance of having an AI.
I felt like that last paragraph was like a math problem I had in high school but couldn't figure out. So what age are you? When did you start having problems? When did the sweating start in relation to that?
I think it was Heat Intolerant who asked if you've been to the DINET site. You probably have.
I think autonomic testing might be a very good idea for you - at some point.
I'm sorry you're having to consider radiation. If you were to have to have chemotherapy, that and stem cell therapy might even make the MG go away. And radiation, even though it's in one area, makes me wonder about further cell damage and even more cancer. And what it does to the heart, etc. Sorry, that's the way my mind works too.
That's great info Brennan. I'm glad you can share what it's like to have radiation. I have no idea. I'm sure it was not fun.
There are new types of radiation therapy now. I think it was Mayo Rochester who recently developed something for thymomas. Google thymoma and Mayo and see what you find. I'd do it but am worn out today.
Well, I wish you luck in deciding what to do. I can't imagine having to face this one down. Hang in there.
Annie