5cm Thymoma with no MG
 

Hello! I was recently diagnosed with primary hyperparathyrodism and during the CT scan the doctors picked up a Thymoma. I am having trouble finding others who have had a thymoma without having MG. The MG and thymoma link seems to be the best way to communicate with others who've had or have a thymoma. So much of what I read about on the internet talks about a thymoma being cancer but my cardiothorascic surgeon has never mentioned that it is. He thinks it is benign but I can't help but still worry about it. I feel pain in my chest and the doctor said it is in my head. Are there others out there who can share there experience with me?

I do have MG, did not have a thymoma, but did have an enlarged (hyperplastic) thymus. (9 cm by 11cm) I definitely did feel pain, about 1 1/2 " to the left of my sternum, 1" below my collarbone. It felt like a rock was pushing against the bone from the inside. More of an ache than a sharp pain. Never felt that same pain again after my thymectomy.

Hi, Haras40. A thymoma can be the cause of MG but not always. Have you seen a neurologist to have a clinical evaluation for MG or MG antibodies done? Some MG patients barely notice they have MG in the early stages. In some people with a thymoma and MG symptoms, the symptoms go away with removal of the tumor.

They can't really tell if it is benign or malignant until they take the thymoma out and do tests on it Sorry, but that's the reality. Maybe the doctor was trying to reassure you. What may reassure you is that they can usually take care of this type of cancer. Try not to worry!

Any infection, inflammation, or cancer can cause pain. Why? The immune system sends out inflammatory markers in an attempt to heal the body. The byproduct of that can be inflammation and pain. Duh. Some cancers are not painful to the touch. That is not the same as sensing pain in an area that has a tumor. It's really not necessary for a doctor to pooh-pooh what a patient is sensing in order to help them! Bad form!

There are many different surgical techniques for having a thymus taken out. They may want to do the traditional method of opening the chest up, to make sure they can get all of the tumor. But other methods have been proven to be successful as well. Please consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon and ask about the various methods that have been used. I have not had my thymus out, so I can't tell you about what is involved from a firsthand point of view.

Anything else you need help with?

Annie