Ms. Linh, a 58-year-old woman, had been experiencing persistent chest pain for nearly a year, suspecting it was due to heart disease. After visiting the doctor, she was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and prescribed medication to alleviate her symptoms. However, despite taking the medication, her symptoms did not improve.
During Tet celebrations in early 2023, Ms. Linh’s coughing and increased chest pain became more severe. She sought further evaluation at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. On April 27th, Dr. Tran Quoc Hoai from the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the Cardiovascular Center identified a large thymic tumor as the cause of her symptoms.
The medical team decided to perform open surgery to remove the tumor safely. The procedure was successful, and Ms. Linh was discharged from the hospital after five days. Pathology results confirmed that the tumor was malignant, and she received chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells from spreading.
Thymic carcinoma is an extremely rare form of cancer that originates from thymic epithelial cells and affects the thymus gland located in the mediastinum of the chest cavity. While symptoms such as persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, difficulty swallowing and weight loss are common among patients with this type of cancer, early detection and treatment can greatly improve their prognosis.
Ms. Linh’s experience serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign symptoms can be indicative of more serious conditions that require prompt medical attention. It is crucial for individuals who experience persistent chest pain or other concerning symptoms to seek medical evaluation promptly to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options before it becomes too late.
In summary, Ms Linh’s case highlights how important it is for individuals experiencing persistent chest pain or other concerning symptoms to seek medical evaluation promptly in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options before it becomes too late.
