The little-known and aggressive cancer that manifests with cough and chest pain
Although it is a rare disease in Spain, thymoma, which forms malignant cells in the thymus , is linked to myasthenia gravis and other paraneoplastic autoimmune diseases. Its most recognizable symptoms (although they can also be confusing, as they are common in other conditions) are cough and chest pain.
The thymus is an organ that forms part of the lymphatic system and is located in the upper part of the chest, above the heart and behind the sternum. Its diagnosis is not easy, and it is usually detected when the patient undergoes a chest X-ray for any other reason.
Who is most likely to be affected by thymoma and what are its symptoms?
TopDoctors experts assure that this rare malignant tumor most commonly affects patients between 40 and 70 years of age , although it can occur at any age. Depending on its activity and degree of invasive growth, it can be divided into four stages, the last being the most severe, as it metastasizes to other organs.
Slow-progressing, this cancer usually shows no symptoms. If it does, they usually include, beyond cough and chest pain, general muscle weakness , fever, voice changes, difficulty breathing, and/or swallowing problems (dysphagia). If it is associated with unexplained weight loss, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
This is how thymoma is diagnosed
Aside from chest X-rays, which, as we mentioned, are often performed for other reasons (which is why the discovery of thymoma is often incidental), there are other diagnostic methods that a doctor can perform when they suspect this type of malignant tumor .
A blood test alone won't be able to determine if a thymus tumor is cancer, but it can help specialists gain insight into a patient's overall health . A CT scan can take detailed images of the thymus to see if the cancer has spread.
MRI is also useful for diagnosing thymoma. Of course, a biopsy will, in most cases, be the test that provides the most certainty for choosing the best treatment.
Treatment of this very aggressive malignant cancer
A chest X-ray can reveal the neoplasm as a mass located next to the heart and major arteries. To determine the most appropriate treatment, the doctor will order a biopsy of the surgically removed tissue and a CT scan to determine the extent of the lesion.
Since the causes of thymoma are not at all clear, it is difficult to prevent it , as we also do not know what the potential risk factors are.
As for treatment, like other types of tumors, it depends on the stage of the disease. Surgery is the most commonly used treatment for the complete removal of a thymic tumor. In addition, radiation therapy is a common treatment to eliminate cancer cells and prevent their proliferation. Chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor or block its growth.
ReferencesAndrea Ferreiro, José M. Garrido, David Saldaña, Covadonga Fernández-Golfín, Sara Boi, Enrique Oliva. 'Primary intrapericardial thymoma stage IV. From a rare case to the relevance of optimal surgical treatment'. Elsevier Journal. Cardiovascular Surgery. Accessed online at https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-cirugia-cardiovascular-358-articulo-timoma-primario-intrapericardico-estadio-iv--S1134009614000679 on May 5, 2025.
Shawn P. Robinson, Hossein Akhondi. 'Timma'. National Library of Medicine. Accessed online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ on May 5, 2025.
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