Risks for thymus cancer
Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don't have any risks.
There are no known risks for thymus cancer.
Thymus cancer is rare. It mostly occurs in people aged 40 or older. Thymus cancer seems to happen more often in people of Asian, Pacific Island and African ancestry.
Possible risks
Thymoma is the most common cancerous tumour of the thymus. The following have been linked with an increased risk of thymoma, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:
-
Myasthenia gravis
is an
autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. The body's immune system makesantibodies that block or change some of the nerve signals to your muscles, making them weak. -
Pure red cell aplasia
is a rare blood disorder in which the
bone marrow doesn’t make enough red blood cells, causinganemia . -
Hypogammaglobulinemia
is a condition in which there are not enough
gamma globulins in the blood, which normally fight infections. So most people with hypogammaglobulinemia have recurrent infections.
Understanding your cancer risk
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.
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