Thymoma Treatment in Israel

Dr. Svetlana Zalmanova

Head of the Radiology Department

The leading medical institution in Israel, Top Ichilov Clinic offers patients suspected of having thymoma a comprehensive examination and high-quality treatment. Top Ichilov is well-equipped with the most modern technology, and the clinic employs the best specialists: doctors, professors, and heads of departments. The clinic is ready to accept patients from any country and provide them with qualified, affordable medical care.

578

surgically treated patients

96%

effectiveness of treatment methods used

99%

accuracy of thymoma diagnosis

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Thymoma is a tumour affecting the thymus gland, which can be benign or malignant. The disease is characteristic of people over 40 years old. The thymus gland is located in the center of the chest, behind the ribs. It is part of the human immune system and protects against infections. The thymus is most active during adolescence, at which time it produces the maximum number of special cells called T-lymphocytes and is at its largest size. Over time, the thymus decreases in size and its activity declines.

Thymoma, Diagnosis, and Treatment at Top Ichilov Clinic

Thymoma is quite rare, but among diseases affecting the thymus gland, thymoma is the most common. Diseases resulting from lymphoma or leukemia are extremely rare in practice. Symptomatically, thymoma does not manifest acutely; it is most often discovered during examinations of the chest organs, frequently through X-rays. Treatment for this disease is conducted using surgical methods, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Thymoma Treatment at Top Ichilov Clinic

Treatment for this tumour primarily depends on its type. If the thymoma is non-aggressive and localized in the thymus gland, a surgical method is chosen. The tumour is excised. Surgery may be indicated for individuals without complex comorbidities, in good physical condition, who can calmly undergo surgical intervention.

If surgical treatment is not possible, patients are prescribed a course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy to target the tumour cells. This treatment allows for complete control over the tumour's spread, suppresses its development, and prevents the thymoma from becoming aggressive.

Aggressive thymoma is also treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy methods. Recently, the clinic has widely adopted the combination of these techniques. Treatment halts the progression of thymoma for many years, allowing patients to lead a normal lifestyle. However, if surgery is possible, this radical method is chosen.

Researchers at Top Ichilov Clinic are actively searching for the most effective combinations of drugs for thymoma treatment.

Diagnosing Thymoma at Top Ichilov

Top Ichilov Clinic employs the following modern methods for diagnosing thymoma:

• Laboratory blood test, allowing for the counting of T-lymphocytes, which decrease in thymoma;
• Oncomarker test;
• X-ray examination;
• Computed tomography (CT);
• MRI to determine the exact location of the tumour, its size, and extent of spread;
• Mediastinoscopy: examination of the walls of the heart and lungs using a fiber-optic device to establish whether there is a secondary focus.

As part of the immune system, the thymus gland affects a person's overall condition, work capacity, and well-being. When the gland is affected by thymoma, patients often report increased fatigue, general weakness, specifically muscle fatigue. Myasthenia is pronounced in thymoma; even with slight exertion, the muscles quickly tire and weaken.

Symptoms of Thymoma

Thymoma can be of two types:

• Non-aggressive. Thymoma develops only in the thymus gland, affecting only it, and does not spread beyond the gland;
• Aggressive. Thymoma invades neighboring tissues and organs; this type of disease is very rare and is considered malignant.

The disease is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, prolonged unexplained cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and hoarseness. Typically, patients consult a doctor suspecting pneumonia, angina, or bronchitis.