thymic tumor
Pronunciation: THY-mik
A rare neoplasm arising from the thymus gland in the anterior mediastinum, including thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
Full Definition
Thymic tumors are relatively uncommon malignancies that develop from the epithelial cells of the thymus gland, located in the anterior mediastinum. These tumors are classified according to the WHO system into thymomas (types A, AB, B1, B2, B3) and thymic carcinomas, with staging following the Masaoka-Koga system. Approximately 30-50% of patients with thymomas have myasthenia gravis, making this an important clinical association. Treatment typically involves surgical resection when feasible, often combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on stage and histology.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'thymic tumor' as the umbrella term; specify 'thymoma' or 'thymic carcinoma' when histology is known.
In Context
- "The anterior mediastinal mass was confirmed to be a thymic tumor on histological examination." — Pathology report
- "Patients with thymic tumors require screening for myasthenia gravis before surgical intervention." — Preoperative assessment