Symptoms Of Thymoma

Difficulty Swallowing

The thymus is a small gland located in the top part of the breast, just between the lungs and under the breastbone. This gland is near the individual’s airways as well as a selection of blood vessels. When tumors develop in the thymus, such as in thymoma, they can begin to press on nearby parts of the body. The resulting pressure can make it more difficult for an individual to swallow food, given the throat and digestive tract can be affected. The difficulty swallowing can cause another symptom of thymoma, weight loss, because patients may not be getting as many nutrients as they need since it is harder to eat.

Frequent Infections

Thymomas can compromise the immune system, and in these cases are commonly referred to as thymomas with immunodeficiency (formerly known as Good’s syndrome). Thymomas with immunodeficiency is a rare condition involving a T- and B-cell immunodeficiency along with a thymoma. T-cells, in particular, are an integral part of the body’s ability to fight and adapt to viruses, fungal infections, as well as bacterial infections and illnesses. The thymus, which is what’s affected in thymoma and thymoma with immunodeficiency, is where the T-cells mature. While the infections a patient catches may even be simple ones, they typically catch them far more often given that their immune system is compromised. Thus, patients should be on the lookout!