What is a Thymoma?

7. Thymectomy

For early-stage thymoma, a median sternotomy is the best option; the surgeon splits the sternum, and removes the mass and surrounding tissue. If the thymoma is smaller, the doctor may use a less invasive laproscopic version of the procedure. For later stages, a complete thymectomy is no longer possible, and the process becomes a debulking procedure, where the surgeon removes as much of the thymoma as possible. If it has spread to the lung or the lung lining, the surgeon may remove both the lining and a portion of the lung.