Thymoma Treatment in Israel

Dr. Svetlana Zalmanova

Head of the Radiology Department

The leading medical institution in Israel, the Top Ichilov clinic offers patients suspected of having thymoma a comprehensive examination and quality treatment. Top Ichilov is well-equipped with the most modern technology, and the clinic employs the best specialists: doctors, professors, and department heads. 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%

diagnostic accuracy for thymoma

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Thymoma is a tumor affecting the thymus gland, which can be benign or malignant. The disease is typical for individuals 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, when it produces the maximum number of specialized 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 the 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 the Top Ichilov Clinic

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

If surgical treatment is not possible, patients are prescribed a course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy to target the tumor cells. This treatment allows for complete control of tumor 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 maintain their usual lifestyle. However, if surgery is possible, this radical method is preferred.

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

Diagnosing Thymoma at Top Ichilov

The Top Ichilov clinic employs the following modern methods for diagnosing thymoma:

• Laboratory blood test to count the number of T-lymphocytes, which decrease in thymoma;
• Oncomarker test;
• X-ray examination;
• Computed tomography (CT);
• MRI to determine the exact location of the tumor, its size, and extent of spread;
• Mediastinoscopy: examination of the walls of the heart and lungs using a fiber-optic device to determine if 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 in thymoma is pronounced; even with slight exertion, the muscles tire and weaken quickly.

Thymoma Symptoms

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.