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Key Statistics About Thymus Cancers

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Although thymic tumors (thymomas and thymic carcinomas) are the most common tumors in the anterior mediastinum (the front part of the space between the lungs), overall they are rare. They occur at a rate of only 1.3 cases for every million people each year in the US. This works out to about 400 cases per year. (The exact number diagnosed each year is not known.)

Survival statistics for thymomas are discussed in Survival rates for thymus cancer.

 

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

National Cancer Institute. Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. 2022. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/thymoma/hp/thymoma-treatment-pdq#section_1.3 on May 14, 2024.

Last Revised: May 15, 2024

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