Thymoma Cancer?

I wanted to know what are chances are that my husband (who has thymoma) has cancer of the thymus? we found he had it back in 9/11/01 and tried surgery to remove what they thought were two tumors - one on the thymus near his heart and one on his lung. During that they found it had spread through out his chest. They say there no cure for it and its inoperable. He went through 7 cycles of chemo, 3 different drugs all together. We are at a loss. Please help. He is 32 years old and we have been married for 12 years. We have 4 children ages 12, 9, 2 and 1. This has taken its toll on our marriage as well - we do nothing but fight and I'm in desperate need of advice and any support that's out there. Please help, in VA.

Hi Linda. I just stumbled to your posting and is now July 2005. I was just diagnosed with thymoma, a rare type of cancer, last April. I hope your husband is doing well. I just turned 32 a month prior to being diagnosed. I am just curious how he is doing. My doctor's did not recommend surgery as a first treatment. I am going through chemo at the moment (had my 3rd today, 7/26/05) and am so far doing good. I wish you all the best and God Bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you.

Joel

Hi Joel, My husband is 33 he was diagnosed with thymoma in 1997, he had chemo-sugery-radiation and has been in remission for 9 years. He was just diagnosed again with thymoma it has turned up again in the same area as before.(chest & spine) he has once again had chemo, 2 operations since April what we are learning about thymoma is that it seems to come back. they are slow growing tumors
and can respond well to Chemo for my husband chemo did not shrink the tumor enough so surgery
has been his best option. I know it can be frustrating as there does not seem to be enought info on Thymoma as it is so rare in 97 there were not even trials in place.
so we were really in the dark. He did say the chemo was not as bad this time. We will keep you in our thoughts.

Hi Linda. Thank you for responding and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. You guys are in mine as well. Yes it has been a frustrating time not knowing much on Thymoma since it is a rare cancer. I'm trying to keep my mind occupied with work so not to think to much about it and sometimes looking at the message board for other people like me who has this disease and learn from their experience and gain perspective and hope. Once again, thank you for replying. God Bless.

Joel

Linda
Last May 2004, my husband was diagnosised with thymoma. He had a huge tumor in his chest. They believe it was there back in 1997. My husband underwent chemo, a major surgery and radioation. Now they are saying that they are concerned about some small nodules in his lund and near his diaphram. He is 37, we have two kids and absolutly no insurance. We just can't afford it.
After reading your message about your husband, I have to say that I am terrified that this cancer will never go away. My heart breaks for you and what you and your family has to go through. I know how it feels.
How do you and your family coop with this? I hate going back to the doctor because I am afraid that I will not like their answers. I am also terrified of losing my husband. Unlike you we have only been married for four years and I don't look forward to more treatments. My husband didn't handle them very well.
Does it keep coming back?
The first time this happened, I was strong because I turned to God. I find myself slipping further away and growing weak. I will pray for you and for Joel. I know what it takes.

Dear Katie, I know how you feel I wish my Husband
was given more Information in 1997 and we would have been more vigilant in having testing done. I felt so sick when we found out it came back, I didn't want to watch him go thru this again as I feel so helpless. even though he had regular Cat scans
for 8 years it was an MRI ordered by a GP at our neighborhood clinic who found this tumor. I also thought we would never be in this postion again and It's really frustrating, Our son was born 5 months before this recent diagnosis, we also have a teenage daughter. I get scared sometimes too. My husband is getting ready to have his 3rd surgery since June. and sometimes I don't know where he finds the strength but he does and yours will too.
I don't know what State you are in but you must be able to get some assistance (medicaid?)maybe you can find out about clinical trials in your area. There must be some way to get help. I'm so sorry that you have all of this worry while taking care of small children.
The doctor's here tell us that Thymoma's are very slow growing tumors so that should give you some time to find a good place for your husband to be treated.
We Live in NYC but we did do a lot of reseach and found information of trials in Texas & Boston.
I hope you are near one of these places, Let me know if I can share any information with you.
You will stay in my prayers.
EB

Hi Joel, not sure if you will even get this, but I thought I would write. I recently been diagnosed with thymus cancer and looking around for some info. Please email me if you wish.

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Hope to here from you soon.

Charlie J.

Hello, My name is Charles and I have been diagnosed with thymus cancer. Just looking around for some info. Email me if you wish.

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Hope to here from you soon.

Charlie J.

 

On 7/31/2007 charliej wrote:

Hi Joel, not sure if you will even get this, but I thought I would write. I recently been diagnosed with thymus cancer and looking around for some info. Please email me if you wish.

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Hope to here from you soon.

Charlie J.

Hi to all who have Thymoma or are a caregiver.  I am new to bulletin board and hope that someone reads this.  My husband, age 32, was just told he has a Thymoma.  He was told that the only way to determine whether it was invasive or non-invasive is to do surgery.  Is that true?  The doc said a needle biopsy would not yield that info.  He did say that it was irregular shaped and showed up white on the CT which eliminated the possibility of it being fat since fat would show up dark.  We're both freaking out and of course will go for a second opinion. I just can't understand opeing up a person's chest just to eyeball something and then close it back up.  Then again, maybe I don't have the whole story.  This information just came to us today so if I sound frantic.....I am.

I pray you are all doing well.  Please, someone respond if you have time.

Thank You,

Hollowpoint

Hi,

I was just recently diagnosed with thymoma in January.  I have stage 4, and just started going though chemo.  So many questions....so little info out there.  So rare.  I would love to speak to any one of you.  How are you doing?  What's your progress?  I'm looking for hope and anyone who can relate.  Please reply or email me @

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