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Tests done to detect thymoma or thymic carcinoma are also used to stage the disease. The following stages are used for thymoma: Noninvasive thymoma (stage I) Invasive thymoma (stage II, stage III, and stage IV) Thymic carcinomas have usually spread to other parts of the body when diagnosed.

Tests done to detect thymoma or thymic carcinoma are also used to stage the disease.

Staging is the process used to find out if cancer has spread from the thymus to other parts of the body. The findings made during surgery and the results of tests and procedures are used to determine the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.

The following stages are used for thymoma:

Noninvasive thymoma (stage I)

In stage I, cancer is found only within the thymus. All cancer cells are inside the capsule (sac) that surrounds the thymus.

Invasive thymoma (stage II, stage III, and stage IV)

Invasive thymoma includes stage II, stage III, and stage IV.

• In stage II, cancer has spread through the capsule and into the fat around the thymus or into the lining of the chest cavity.
• In stage III, cancer has spread to nearby organs in the chest, including the lung, the sac around the heart, or large blood vessels that carry blood to the heart.
• Stage IV is divided into stage IVA and stage IVB, depending on where the cancer has spread.
  • In stage IVA, cancer has spread widely around the lungs and heart.
  • In stage IVB, cancer has spread to the blood or lymph system.

Thymic carcinomas have usually spread to other parts of the body when diagnosed.

The staging system used for thymomas is sometimes used for thymic carcinomas.

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