Imaging thymoma

J Thorac Oncol. 2010 Oct;5(10 Suppl 4):S296-303. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181f209ca.

Abstract

Thymoma is a rare tumor, although it is the most common primary neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum. In the majority of thymoma patients, imaging is requested for investigation of symptoms related to their tumor, although an increasing number of asymptomatic patients are discovered incidentally due to the increased utilization of computed tomography for screening or for imaging of other unrelated diseases. This review will focus on the goals of imaging thymoma, the imaging features of thymoma, as well as the advantages and limitations of each imaging modality in establishing the diagnosis, staging, and prognosis of thymoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Thymoma / diagnosis*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnosis*