Thymoma

Hi all...I'm a 54 year old decorator and up untill April this year I was working hard painting new builds...one monday I was taken to AandE with chest pains..a CT scan showed a 9.5 cm tumour on my thymus and over some artery junctions..it's been a whirlwind 2 month's and I'm in surgery to remove the tumour on 6th July....I'm confused because the surgeon said he will remove part of the brachial vein and said something about blood drainage and said it may mess with my diaphragm..I've asked the nurse since but she seemed to be unaware...I would also like to know if and when I can go to work after open chest surgery..stories out there range from month's to never again...my Cancer is no where near as aggressive as most cancer's but the side affects from my treatment is more worrying than the cancer..... anyone there that has similar circumstances?..regards  Reid

  • Welcome to the forum Reid although I'm sorry about the diagnosis you received after going in to hospital with chest pains. It must have been a very scary experience.

    We have some information about surgery for Thymomas just here but if you'd like to discuss this in more detail with one of our cancer nurses, you're very welcome to give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Hopefully some of our members who have been on this journey will share their experiences with you soon but as this is quite a rare cancer you may have more success connecting with others through Thymic UK

    Wishing you all the best for the 6th July Reid.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Tut

    soynds like your operation should all be done now, hope it went well and your on your way to recovery. When I had mine removed had a sternectomy, phrenic nerve removed and some other but the tumour was attached to including the vein. One was harvested from my leg. I was back at work in 9 months to a pretty physical job. Hope that helps.