What is thymus cancer?
Thymus cancer starts in the cells of the thymus. A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancerous tumours of the thymus are rare.
The thymus is a small gland in the top part of the chest between the lungs and under the breastbone. It makes T cells (also called T lymphocytes) that travel throughout the body to help fight infection, disease and foreign substances. The thymus also makes hormones and other substances to help T cells develop and keep the immune system working properly.
Cells of the thymus sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. These changes may lead to non-cancerous (benign) tumours such as thymic cysts and thymolipomas.
In some cases, changes to thymus cells can cause thymus cancer. Thymus cancer usually starts in the epithelial cells of the thymus. These types of thymus cancer are called thymoma and thymic carcinoma.
A very rare cancer can start in the
The thymus
Cancerous tumours of the thymus
Non-cancerous tumours of the thymus
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