I have had radiation post thymectomy. It was after my second removal of thymoma four years after the first was removed. When I had the tumor removed the first time it was supposed to never come back yet four years later it returned. Wish I had had the radiation after the first but it was never suggested. No fun getting cut open twice. If they are suggesting radiation there is probably a reason, I would not take the chance but it's your decision.
Al

You need to get a copy of your pathology report to find out the staging and classification of your thymoma. normally, if it is fully encapsulated (stage 1) they do not recommend radiation. Mine was encapsulated(stage 1) B-1, but it still came back 2 years later , and again 1 year after that. There is a new test out that will detect if it is an aggressive cancer with a greater chance of coming back. This way they can treat accordingly

Judith

I have not had radiation but can think of some questions I would want to know.
I guess one question I would ask the doctor - is if it was to recur - what is the chance that the thymoma will still be local? In other words, can you wait and if it recurs have a thymectomy and be ok at that point? Or is there a chance that it could recur in another part of your body which might not be so easy to treat? I don't know much about your situation - what kind of cells there were etc - but if there's a chance it could come back distantly - that might change your mind. I would also ask the radiation doc how many post-op thymomas he/she has treated. Lots of high real estate organs in the area that you don't want to damage!!
Best of luck!

Thanks for the responses. Judith's stated that her thymoma was encapsulated, yet it still returned and she didn't state she had radiation. Judith, didn't state whether she had a thymectomy, or if the tumor returned on her thymus gland. In retrospect, if it 's not encapsulated, there is still the chance of a tumor reoccurring as well. So, either way it could possibly reoccur is what I'm getting from the responses. Which makes me agree with "momsotired" there is a lot of high real estate organs in that area that can potentially be damaged as well. Then I'm looking at a whole new set of issues. I feel that stakes are higher of potental damaget to other orgrans than wagering if a thymoma will come back and where? Al, how long did you have radiation and any side effects or issues from it?

I did not have radiation. I did have a trans sternal thymectomy. I wish the new test was available at that time. Ask to have this genomic test. It helps determine how aggressive your cancer is and the chance of recurring. This will help you and your Dr. decide if radiation is needed. As momsotired mentioned, get a radiologist that is experienced with treating thoracic cancers if you do need radiation. You don't want your thymoma to recur.

Judith

I had a thymoa that had slightly opened onto my left lung. I had a very small portion of long taken. Surgeon and oncologist said radiation was "insurance". So I took it out! 25 sessions about 18 months ago. I found radiation was ok. No burning problems. A little swallowing problems but that has gone.