Effective Ways To Treat Thymoma

Targeted Therapy

If a thymoma is caught early enough, it may be more effectively treated through targeted therapy. This involves using medication that isolates the specific genes, proteins, and other characteristics of the tumor. The drug will target these aspects of the cancer cells to keep them from growing, so healthy cells in the body will be protected. Each tumor is different and unique to the individual, so targeted therapy involves examining the tumor to identify the best medication in each case. By looking at the proteins, genes, and other traits of the tumor, doctors can determine the best medication for each patient. This area of treatment is continuously improving, as researchers learn more about identifying specific genetic markers of cancer cells. In time, it may be possible to identify the risk of cancer cells at a molecular level, so the individual can be treated before the cells ever have a chance to grow. While this is a promising way to treat a thymoma, patients should discuss possible side effects with their doctors.

Read about a classic treatment for tumors and cancer now.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another method of using medication to isolate and destroy cancer cells in the body. Instead of targeting specific cells in the tumor, these drugs identify cancerous cells and prevent them from multiplying and spreading to other cells in the body. These drugs are typically administered by an oncologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. The medication enters the bloodstream and travels to all parts of the body in search of cancer cells to attack. Chemotherapy can be given intravenously or orally via a pill or capsule. Patients must usually adhere to a medication schedule, which involves taking doses at regular intervals. The oncologist may recommend one drug or multiple drugs to be taken at the same time, depending on the patient's condition and its severity. This treatment can help reduce the size of a tumor before surgery is performed to completely remove it. Additionally, this type of treatment may be the best alternative, when the tumor cannot be completely removed.

Get to know another form of therapy used to treat thymoma patients.