Thymoma is uncommon. The majority of tumors that begin in the thymus are thymoma. Thymic carcinomas are much rarer and make up 1% of tumors that start in the thymus. Thymic carcinoids are even rarer.

Thymoma usually occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Survival rates are different depending on several factors, including the stage and classification of thymoma (see Staging [2]).

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. Estimates are based on data from many people with this type of cancer in the United States, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with thymoma. Because survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics [3].

Sources: American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.