Thymoma history and symptoms

Revision as of 18:42, 18 January 2012 by Michael Maddaleni (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Thymoma Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Thymoma from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Thymoma history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Thymoma history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Thymoma history and symptoms

CDC on Thymoma history and symptoms

Thymoma history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Thymoma history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Thymoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Thymoma history and symptoms

Overview

A third of all people with a thymoma have symptoms due to compression of the surrounding organs by an expansive mass. This may take the form of vena cava superior syndrome (compression of the upper caval vein), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), cough or chest pain.

A third have a thymoma detected because they have an associated autoimmune disorder. The most common condition in this group is myasthenia gravis (of which 25-50% are associated with a thymoma); patients with myasthenia are routinely screened for thymoma. Other associated autoimmune conditions are pure red cell aplasia and Good's syndrome (thymoma with combined immunodeficiency and hypoimmunoglobulinemia G). Rare associations that have been reported are: acute pericarditis, Addison's disease, agranulocytosis, alopecia areata, ulcerative colitis, Cushing's disease, hemolytic anemia, limbic encephalopathy, myocarditis, nephrotic syndrome, panhypopituitarism, pernicious anemia, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, sensorimotor radiculopathy, stiff person syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroiditis.

A third to half of all people with a thymoma have no symptoms at all, and the mass is identified on a chest X-ray performed for an unrelated problem.

References