Thymic neoplasms

Thymic neoplasms are rare tumours that originate in the anterior mediastinum, in a region of the thorax located between the lungs. They mainly comprise thymomas and thymic carcinomas, which differ in clinical behaviour and prognosis. Thymomas are generally slow-growing and often associated with autoimmune syndromes such as myasthenia gravis, whereas thymic carcinomas are more aggressive forms and rarely associated with autoimmune diseases.

Our centre offers an integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases, thanks to a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiotherapists, radiologists and anatomic pathologists. The team meets weekly to discuss clinical cases and define the best treatment pathway for each patient.

The diagnostic process can take advantage of the Thoracic Reception Centre (CAT), which allows rapid and coordinated assessment for suspected thymic neoplasia.

Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biological therapy, used individually or in combination, depending on the stage and histological type.

Patients may also have access to active clinical trials at our centre, which offer innovative therapeutic opportunities in controlled and monitored settings.

Our centre is one of the founding members of the national clinical and research network dedicated to thymic neoplasms TYME, actively contributing to the definition of nationally shared diagnostic-therapeutic paths and to the design of clinical trials at national and international level.

In addition, we collaborate with TUTOR (Associazione Tumori Toracici Rari), helping to improve information, care and involvement of patients with thymic neoplasms.