Treatment

The treatment of thymoma depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread, and the person’s overall health. In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan.

Surgery

Surgery is the most common treatment for early stage thymoma. This is often performed through a median sternotomy, where the sternum is split, which allows the full removal of the thymoma and some additional tissue surrounding the tumor. Surgery is often the only treatment needed for early stage thymoma. Later stage thymoma may include surgery to “debulk” (remove as much of the tumor as possible) the tumor, when a complete surgical removal is not possible. Debulking surgery may provide some relief of symptoms. If the thymoma has spread to the lining of the lung, surgery may also include a pleurectomy (removal of the lung lining) or removal of a portion of the lung.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants, it is called internal radiation therapy (or brachytherapy).

Side effects may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, difficulty swallowing, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished.

External-beam radiation therapy can be used alone, following surgery, or in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of thymoma. Radiation therapy is usually recommended after the thymoma has been removed surgically in patients with later stage disease.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy uses drugs to target cancer cells throughout the body. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual, the type of drug used, and the dose, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

The most common chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of thymoma are doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), cisplatin (Platinol), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), etoposide (VePesid, Etopophos, Toposar), and ifosfamide (Ifex, Holoxan). The common combinations used for the treatment of thymoma include cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin, or etoposide and cisplatin. These chemotherapy combinations are sometimes used to shrink the tumor before surgery if the thymoma is more advanced. Chemotherapy may also be used for people who have stage IVB/advanced thymoma or recurrent thymoma (cancer that comes back after treatment) that is not surgically removable.

The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. Learn more about your prescriptions through Cancer.Net’s Drug Information Resources, which provides links to searchable drug databases.

To learn about the terms used in this section, read the Cancer.Net Feature: Cancer Terms to Know: During Treatment.