Thymoma anyone?

[Guest guest]

I just ran across a French study from 2003 that suggests a possible

relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thymoma (tumor of

the thymus gland, usually benign). I was just wondering if anyone has

had a thymoma, or been tested for it, or at least had their doctor

discuss it with them.

I suspect that an association between thymoma and thyroiditis is

pretty rare, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. But I find the

link intriguing since I also happen to have another condition

(peripheral nerve hyperexcitability) that is sometimes associated

with thymoma.

Jodi

Here's the abstract, in case you're interested:

Thymoma and autoimmune thyroiditis. A case report

We report an association between a thymus tumor and autoimmune

thyroiditis. This association is probably related to loss of immune

control secondary to loss of thymus integrity. A 48-year-old woman

was hospitalized for thoracic pain. Her past history included

thyroiditis treated by L-thyroxin for two years. The chest x-ray

demonstrated a mediastinal opacity which was confirmed by computed

tomography. Surgical resection was performed and histological

analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of lympho-

epithelial thymoma. Thyroid immunity tests demonstrated the presence

of anti-peroxidase antibodies confirming the diagnosis of Hashimoto's

thyroiditis. Chest x-ray and CT-scan are indicated in patients with

autoimmune thyroiditis to search for a thymic mass. Conversely,

search for autoimmune thyroiditis is warranted in patients with an

identified thymic mass.

[Guest guest]

years ago, when i was already diagnosed hashis/hypot, but

undertreated (with unrecognized adrenal Fatigue),, i had a really

bad reaction to antbiotics prescribed for a bladder infection.

i got terrible pains and presesure in the area of the sternum where

the thymus is located, the chest pain/front to back and into arms and

hard to breathe,, would lessen when the pressure built to the point

my sternum/ribs would actually Pop!.

this went on for a few months.

i have seen other hypot folks refer to the pain in the sternum-are as

costochondriasis

also seen reference to -dritis

see link and note that they don't know the cause of most cases!!

maybe its related to something stressing the endocrine/ immune

system

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/costochondritis/article_em.htm

-Carol

>

> I just ran across a French study from 2003 that suggests a possible

> relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thymoma (tumor of

> the thymus gland, usually benign). I was just wondering if anyone

has

> had a thymoma, or been tested for it, or at least had their doctor

> discuss it with them.

>

> I suspect that an association between thymoma and thyroiditis is

> pretty rare, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. But I find the

> link intriguing since I also happen to have another condition

> (peripheral nerve hyperexcitability) that is sometimes associated

> with thymoma.

>

> Jodi

>

>

> Here's the abstract, in case you're interested:

>

> Thymoma and autoimmune thyroiditis. A case report

>

> We report an association between a thymus tumor and autoimmune

> thyroiditis. This association is probably related to loss of immune

> control secondary to loss of thymus integrity. A 48-year-old woman

> was hospitalized for thoracic pain. Her past history included

> thyroiditis treated by L-thyroxin for two years. The chest x-ray

> demonstrated a mediastinal opacity which was confirmed by computed

> tomography. Surgical resection was performed and histological

> analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of lympho-

> epithelial thymoma. Thyroid immunity tests demonstrated the

presence

> of anti-peroxidase antibodies confirming the diagnosis of

Hashimoto's

> thyroiditis. Chest x-ray and CT-scan are indicated in patients with

> autoimmune thyroiditis to search for a thymic mass. Conversely,

> search for autoimmune thyroiditis is warranted in patients with an

> identified thymic mass.

>