Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

What are thymoma and thymic carcinoma?

Thymoma and thymic carcinoma are types of rare cancers that grow on thymus. The thymus is a small organ in the upper chest that is part of the lymph system. It makes white blood cells that help the body fight infection.

Even though these cancers both start in the thymus, they behave differently.

Thymoma grows slowly and usually does not spread outside of the thymus. The cancer cells in thymoma look like the normal cells of the thymus. People who have thymoma often have an autoimmune disease, like myasthenia gravis.

Thymic carcinoma tends to grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. The cancer cells in thymic carcinoma are very different than normal thymus cells. 

What are the symptoms of thymoma and thymic carcinoma?

These cancers often cause no symptoms in the early stages. When they do appear, symptoms may include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • A cough that won’t go away
  • Chest pain

How are thymoma and thymic carcinoma treated?

Treatment for these cancers will depend on which condition you have. Treatments may include:

  • Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This is the most common option to treat thymoma.
  • Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells that are left after surgery and to help keep them from coming back.
  • Chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery or help kill any cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
  • Hormone therapy to block certain hormones and help the cancer stop growing.
  • Targeted therapy to attack the cancer cells directly.

What are the risk factors for thymoma and thymic carcinoma?

Experts have not found any specific risk factors for these cancers.

Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition

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Thoracic Cancer

Our team, which ranges across surgery, radiology, pulmonology and more, offers personalized, compassionate, and innovative care for all thoracic cancers.
department

Radiation Oncology

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Boston Medical Center is committed to providing expert, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Our team of skilled radiation on…