How to Remove a Thymoma

Co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD

Updated: May 29, 2019

Explore this Article Removing a Thymoma Surgically Removing a Thymoma Using Radiation Therapy Removing a Thymoma Using Chemotherapy Ask a Question Related Articles References

A thymoma is a tumor that grows in the thymus gland which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Thymoma is sometimes associated with myasthenia gravis, a paraneoplastic syndrome in which a patient experiences muscle fatigue and a loss of muscle control.[1] The treatment of a malignant thymoma will depend on how far it has advanced in the body. In many cases surgical treatment is sufficient, but in other cases it will involve a multi-modal approach: a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.[2]

Removing a Thymoma Surgically

  1. 1
    Recognize that surgical removal is possible in the early stages. If your thymoma is in its early stages and has not yet spread to the rest of your body, you are an excellent candidate for surgical removal of the tumor, the thymus gland, and some surrounding tissue. This procedure is referred to as a thymectomy.[3] Surgery is the most likely course of treatment in Stages I and II of the disease and may be somewhat effective in Stage III.[4]
    • In the vast majority of cases, surgery by itself is sufficient to cure a thymoma entirely in its early stages.[5] However, surgery can only cure about 25 – 40% of Stage III thymomas.[6]
  2. 2
    Recognize that late-stage thymoma can be surgically shrunk but not always removed. If the thymoma has spread significantly, it might not be possible to remove the thymoma entirely. Surgery can be used, however, to drastically shrink the tumor, thereby relieving symptoms.[7] This is referred to as debulking. This surgery may involve removing a part of the lung or the lining of the lung in cases where the tumor has spread to these areas.[8]
    • Some patients may require radiation therapy after getting debulking surgery to kill any cancerous cells that may have been left behind after the surgery. This is called adjuvant therapy.[9]
  3. 3
    Locate a thoracic surgeon. In most cases a thymectomy is done by a thoracic surgeon, or a surgeon who works primarily on the chest.[10] Your thoracic surgeon should be board-certified, and you should be able to confirm her certification online.
  4. 4
    Check your surgeon's qualifications. If you have some choice in the matter, try to locate a surgeon who has performed many successful thymectomies in the past. Feel free to ask your surgeon questions about his or her experience, including:
    • The number of successful surgeries performed[11]
    • Hospital infection rates[12]
    • Board certifications[13]
    • Quality of the hospital[14]
  5. 5
    Undergo a median sternotomy. This is the most common surgery that is performed to remove a Stage I or II thymoma. This involves splitting the breastbone and removing the thymoma and the surrounding tissues, such as the lining of the lung and heart. [15] This is an open surgery, which means that you are more at risk of blood loss and lengthy recovery time. However, this type of surgery does an excellent job of removing a tumor in its entirety.[16]
    • In some cases, you might be required to have chemotherapy or radiation prior to surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation can shrink a tumor to make it easier to remove.[17]
  6. 6
    Find out if you are a candidate for a robotic thymectomy. This procedure involves making incisions on the patient’s chest and attaching robotic arms on one side of the base unit. Several medical devices are attached on the other side, including endoscopic cameras that help to view the body, sharp instruments, sophisticated sewing tools, miniature scalpels, and lasers. The operating surgeon uses the controllers to manipulate the instruments that are inside the patient’s body. The instruments have the same capabilities as a human being’s wrist. The surgeon makes specific sewing and cutting motions using the instruments. The computer translates the surgeon's motions and performs them inside the body.[18]
    • This approach can cut down on recovery time and blood loss, but is not possible for every patient depending on the severity of their thymoma.[19]
  7. 7
    Ask your surgeon about the possibility for laparoscopic thoracic surgery. This surgery involves making three small incisions on the right or the left side of the chest. Scopes and other instruments are inserted through the incisions so that the tumor can be removed. This type of surgery drastically cuts down on your recovery time, but it might not be possible for all patients.[20]
  8. 8
    Have debulking surgery. This surgery is done for thymomas that are in the later stages and have advanced throughout the body. This is done when it is not possible to remove the entire thymoma. This procedure tries to remove most of the tumor where possible, and it helps to relieve some of the symptoms. This may also involve the removal of surrounding tissues around the chest, heart, and lungs.
  9. 9
    Recover for three to six weeks after the thymectomy. You will not be able to return immediately to work, school, or physical activities. For most thymectomy patients, three to six weeks of recovery time is sufficient before returning to normal activity. However, the side effects of thymectomy are relatively minor: most patients are released from the hospital after just a few days, and most do not require serious pain medication.
    • Keep in mind that the thymus gland is not necessary for adults to have a healthy immune system. Most patients do not experience ill effects after thymus gland removal.

Removing a Thymoma Using Radiation Therapy

  1. 1
    Recognize that radiation might not work on its own. Radiation therapy can help shrink tumors prior to surgical removal. Radiation can also help keep a tumor from returning after surgery. In conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation can help relieve thymoma symptoms in patients with late-stage tumors, such as painful breathing or chest pain. However, radiation by itself is not the most effective treatment option.[21]
  2. 2
    Research how radiation therapy works. Radiation involves the use of invisible high-energy rays to destroy cancerous cells. This helps stop them from increasing and multiplying. The type of radiation used depends on the amount of energy that is required to remove your thymoma as well as how far the thymoma may have spread.[22]
    • If you opt for radiation therapy, you will work with a doctor who is called a radiation oncologist.
  3. 3
    Get a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan is an effective way to create images of your body. It involves taking a number of X-rays at different angles and then combining them to visualize cross-sections of your body.[23] A CT scan can help your oncology team determine the correct dose and position of your radiation therapy.[24]
  4. 4
    Undergo external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) 5 days a week. The most common type of radiation that is used is external beam radiation therapy. It uses x-rays from a machine just like the usual x-ray procedure, only these x-rays emit a much more powerful radiation.[25]
    • The procedure does not hurt, but it may cause side effects later including: fatigue, skin redness, weight loss, poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. These are all due to intense amounts of radiation, which may normal cells along with cancerous cells.[26] Many side effects are temporary and can be relieved with medications.[27]
    • Another type of EBRT that is used is the three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). This procedure is able to accurately target a malignant tumor while also affecting less of the surrounding tissues. This means that this procedure has less side effects than regular radiation therapy.[28]
    • Most radiation therapy is done for a few minutes at a time, for several days a week, continuing for several weeks.[29]
  5. 5
    Have a doctor perform Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). IMRT is an advanced form of 3D-CRT which can also be used to remove thymomas. The procedure relies on a computer to more accurately target the cancerous tissue. The beams and intensity of the radiation can be adjusted to prevent harming nearby healthy tissues.[30]
  6. 6
    Undergo internal radiation. The source of the radiation can also be an implant that is placed directly on the tumor using needles or catheters.[31] This form of radiation therapy is called interstitial or internal radiation. Internal radiation is usually given to outpatients for several weeks. You are not radioactive during or after the treatment.

Removing a Thymoma Using Chemotherapy

  1. 1
    Understand how chemotherapy works as a thymoma treatment. Chemotherapy is a medical procedure used to kill cancer cells using medications. These drugs are administered intravenously or orally.[32] When chemo drugs enter your bloodstream, they spread to other organs. This is helpful when thymomas have entered neighboring tissues and organs.[33]
    • Chemotherapy can be used before surgery to shrink tumors that are not removable by means of surgery.[34]
    • Chemotherapy can also be done after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells that might have been left behind.[35]
    • Chemotherapy may be used along with radiation for those who are too ill to receive surgical treatment.[36]
    • Chemotherapy is not recommended for patients whose tumors might be easily surgically removed.[37]
  2. 2
    Talk to your doctor about systemic chemotherapy. The chemotherapy drugs can either be taken through the mouth or injected into the vein or muscle. The drugs are able to enter into the bloodstream and reach the cancerous cells all over the body. This treatment is called systemic chemotherapy because it involves all systems in the body.[38]
  3. 3
    Talk to your doctor about regional chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may also be given directly to a more specific area of the body where a thymoma has formed. This mode of treatment is localized. Regional chemotherapy destroys the cancerous cells that are in that particular area.[39]
  4. 4
    Know what medications are given during chemotherapy. There are different chemotherapy drugs that can be given during treatment. They include: carboplatin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, ifosfamide, octreotide, paclitaxel and pemetrexed.[40] The combinations that are commonly used in the treatment of a thymoma include:
    • Cyclophosphamide, cisplatin and doxorubicin.[41]
    • Paclitaxel and carboplatin.[42]
    • Cisplatin and etoposide.[43]
  5. 5
    Undergo four to six cycles of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is administered in several cycles, each of which lasts for about three to five weeks. Patients rest and recover in between these cycles. An initial round of chemotherapy will usually take four to six cycles to be effective.[44]
  6. 6
    Be aware of the side effects of chemotherapy. The side effects from chemo that you experience will depend on the dose and drugs given. Many of these side effects will dissipate after chemotherapy has concluded.[45] However, the common side effects include:
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Infection
    • Diarrhea
    • Reduced appetite
    • Hair loss
    • Fatigue
  7. 7
    Ask your doctor about octreotide. Octreotide is a synthetic hormone that may be able to shrink and kill thymoma cells.[46] If you have a late-stage thymoma that cannot be surgically removed in its entirety, ask your doctor whether a hormonal option might be possible for you.

Community Q&A

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    • Robotic thymectomy is advised for obese patients because it is less invasive.[47]
    • Don't hesitate to ask questions of medical personnel.
    • Remember that prognoses for thymoma patients are excellent, especially for those in the early stages of the illness.


    • Do your research on surgeons, oncologists, and hospitals while putting together your treatment plan. Make sure that all your doctors are certified and experienced and that your hospital conducts the best practice.
    • Notify your doctors about any side effects you experience. They might be able to help you resolve these ill effects.


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    Categories: Cancer

    In other languages:

    Русский: удалить тимому, Italiano: Rimuovere un Timoma, Español: extraer un timoma, Deutsch: Ein Thymom entfernen, Français: éliminer un thymome

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