Intermediate
Technical
IVT
thymic mass
An abnormal growth or tumor arising from the thymus gland in the anterior mediastinum.
Full Definition
A thymic mass refers to any abnormal growth or neoplasm originating from the thymus, a lymphoid organ located in the anterior mediastinum. These masses include thymomas, thymic carcinomas, thymic hyperplasia, and lymphomas. Thymic masses are often associated with myasthenia gravis and require careful staging according to the Masaoka classification system. Surgical resection through sternotomy or minimally invasive approaches is the primary treatment, often requiring en bloc resection with surrounding structures to ensure complete removal. The proximity to vital mediastinal structures makes these procedures technically challenging.
In Context
- "CT imaging revealed a 6-cm thymic mass with possible invasion of the pericardium." — Radiology report
Also known as
anterior mediastinal mass
thymic tumor
Don't confuse with
mediastinal lymphadenopathy
pericardial mass