All tumor formations have a chance to be fully cured or to get more help if they are found in the initial stage of development. Therefore, if there are symptoms that indicate the possibility of tumor formation, it is necessary to undergo an examination in time.
What is Thymoma?
The name of thymoma unites all types of tumors that can form in the gland located between the heart and the breastbone.
The name of this organ is the thymus gland. It has small dimensions and is involved in the formation of immune defense of the body.
Iron in its structure has several types of tissue. And in each of them can form a tumor formation.
Causes of the disease
Why the tumor is formed in the thymus region is unknown to medicine. It is observed that this phenomenon occurs if the patient:
- was exposed to ionizing radiation,
- suffered from viral infections of chronic form.
Classification of
Timomes have several classifications according to different criteria. Timomes on the histological structure can be benign or malignant in nature.
The last species is categorized as:
- , the first type - education is a benign tumor, although cells have some degree of atypicality;
- the second type combines the cases when the tumor is prone to germination in other tissues.
By what cells are involved in the pathological process, tumors are distinguished:
- lymphoid thymoma,
- epithelioid thymoma:
- lymphoepithelial,
- epidermoid,
- granulomatous,
- spindle cell.
Pathology in its development passes through such stages:
- The initial stage of the disease. The tumor has a capsule. The development of pathology occurs within this structure. This stage is characterized by the fact that the tumor does not germinate into other tissues, develops in the capsule. The increase in the size of the formation is fraught with the squeezing of the organs and the curvature of the thorax.
- Tumor cells expand the site of localization and are found in adipose tissue.
- Further germination of the pathology reaches the pleural zone.
- The last stage is determined when the tumor has released its germs into the organs that are located near the affected area:
- bone,
- heart,
- lung.
Symptoms of thymoma
Pathology often does not manifest itself for a while. As the tumor grows, it begins to have a crushing effect on the surrounding tissue.
In this case, the signs of the disease begin to be indicated:
- heartbeat,
- bluish complexion,
- in children, there may be a curvature of the chest due to bulging of the formation;
- sensation of compression in the chest,
- cervical veins swell.
In the case when the borderline sympathetic trunk is squeezed as a result of an increase in the size of the tumor, the following signs will be noticeable:
- sweating violation,
- dermographism,
- on the side of the lesion, there are violations related to the eye:
- the eyeball is exposed to the occlusion,
- pupil dilated,
- omission of the eyelid,
- local temperature is prone to change.
If the tumor has spread itself into the nerve plexuses, then there may be pains of small force that are felt on the side of the lesion and can give to other places:
- interscapular area,
- neck,
- shoulder.
When the compression of the venous trunks occurs, the symptomatology of the compression syndrome manifests itself:
- cyanosis of the upper torso and face,
- heaviness in the head,
- discomfort from head noise,
- veins in the chest and neck area become swollen,
- in the chest sensation of pain,
- venous pressure rises, the
- face becomes swollen.
Symptoms that indicate that the disease is in a late stage:
- significant body weight loss,
- poor health,
- sweating,
- elevated temperature,
- disorders that occur due to the release of harmful substances by growing tumors:
- swelling of the joints,
- disordersrhythm of the heart,
- swelling of the extremities.
Diagnosis of a tumor
To determine thymoma as the main method, the radiologic method is used:
- Radiography provides an opportunity to determine the presence of education. The method creates a photographic mapping of the internal structure of tissues that fall into the field of radiological rays.
- Fluoroscopy is a more informative method. The area of interest, which is under X-ray, is displayed on a special screen. You can accurately determine the localization of education and its parameters, the connection with other tissues.
- Tomography refers to the most modern methods of investigating the problem. Using the method, very accurate and detailed information on pathology is obtained. The organ with a tumor is considered on layered images in the desired projections, computer processing of data ensures the quality of information.
Photo of tomography imaging of thymoma of mediastinum
To clarify the diagnosis, the patient is scheduled to undergo:
- biopsy,
- blood tests:
- biochemical,
- total.
Treatment of pathology
Surgery is the main way to treat thymoma. The tumor is removed along with the gland and adherent fatty tissue, so that there is no relapse.
The procedure in the thymus gland zone is performed by transversal access. It provides for the dissection of the sternum.
In clinics where there is modern equipment - a cyber knife, it is possible to do this by this method. Especially in cases where the tumor is inoperable.
Radiosurgery does not involve physical implantation in tissues. Destroys diseased cells and does not injure healthy cells adjacent to pathology.
Modern surgical technologies in the treatment of mediastinal tumors:
In the case of malignant disease,- chemotherapy,
- radiation therapy is performed.
Of the drugs used:
- galantamine,
- proserin.
Folk remedies
Tumor tumors are not treated with folk medicine prescriptions. It can only be said that the strengthening of immunity by natural methods will enable the body to better build protection against all pathological phenomena.
This:
- consumption of phyto tea,
- feasible physical activity,
- a properly selected diet,
- no stress.
Forecast
An unfavorable situation develops when the patient appealed for help at the stage of tumor development to an inoperable variant.
The condition of such patients can be maintained for some time, but the development of the disease is inevitable in 90% of cases leading to death.
In the case of a benign variety of thymoma, after surgical removal, complete healing is statistically performed in 90% of patients.
Video about removal of thymoma of anterior mediastinum: