In early 2023, Linh, a 58-year-old woman, began experiencing persistent chest pain and a dry cough. Despite seeking medical attention and being diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, her symptoms did not improve. Following Tet, Linh’s symptoms worsened, prompting her to seek further examination at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.
On April 27th, Dr. Tran Quoc Hoai from the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery determined that Linh’s symptoms were not typical of heart or lung-related conditions. It was revealed that she had a large thymic tumor in her mediastinum, which could be causing her chest pain and cough. The medical team decided to perform open surgery to remove the tumor as it had invaded the adjacent lung tissue.
The surgery was successful, and Linh was discharged from the hospital after five days. Pathology results confirmed that the tumor was malignant, and Linh underwent supportive chemotherapy to prevent the cancer cells from spreading. Thymic carcinoma is a rare form of cancer that originates from thymic epithelial cells and affects the thymus gland located in the mediastinum. With early detection and treatment, patients have a positive prognosis. Treatment options for thymic cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Regular follow-up exams are essential to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and manage any potential side effects of medication.
