Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thymoma history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Symptoms of thymoma include muscle weakness, cough, wheezing, and difficulty swallowing in addition to the symptoms of associated immune syndromes such as anemia, arthralgia, and skin rash.
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
Symptoms of Mass Effect
Approximately 30% of the patients with thymoma have symptoms caused by compression of the surrounding organs, these may include:[1]
- Facial swelling (due to compression of the superior vena cava)
- Difficulty swallowing (due to compression of the esophagus)
- Cough and wheezing (due to compression of the trachea)
- Chest pain (due to local compression)
Symptoms Related to Associated Autoimmune Diseases
Approximately 30% of the patients have symptoms of associated autoimmune disorders, these may include:
- Muscle weakness (associated with myasthenia gravis and polymyositis)
- Anemia (associated with pure red cell aplasia)
- Fever, chest pain, cough, and malaise (associated with Good’s syndrome, agranulocytosis, combined immunodeficiency, hypogammaglobulinemia, and acute pericarditis)
- Arthralgia and skin rash (associated with polymyositis, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Anxiety, diarrhea and palpitation (associated with thyroiditis and ulcerative colitis)
Asymptomatic
Approximately 33% to 50% of the patients with thymoma have no symptoms at all, and the mass is identified incidentally.[1]
References
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thomas CR, Wright CD, Loehrer PJ (1999). “Thymoma: state of the art”. Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 17 (7): 2280–9. PMID 10561285. Retrieved 2012-01-18. Unknown parameter
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amr Marawan, M.D. [2] Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [3]