Symptoms Of Thymoma

Weight Loss

Unlike some other symptoms of thymoma that are due to the pressure the tumor places on structures within the body, unexplained weight loss typically occurs as a result of the disease aspect of cancer. As the immune system launches its attack against the cancer cells, this can lead to weight loss. Part of this is due to a loss of muscle tissue that occurs as a result of the immune system's attack on the cancer cells. As muscle tissue is destroyed, you could see unexplained weight loss. Additionally, you could lose your appetite when your body is fighting cancer, also leading to weight loss.

Muscle Weakness

Many individuals with thymoma also deal with a condition called myasthenia gravis, which is characterized by different degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. Skeletal muscle weakness in these instances increases when an individual is active (e.g., walking) and improves when they rest. The typical muscles affected with this weakness include the ones that control the patient’s chewing, talking, facial expressions, and their eye and eyelid movement. Thankfully, the respiratory muscles are not as commonly affected when patients are dealing with thymoma.