According to a story from journals.lww.com, a recent study investigates the beneficial impact of a thymectomy operation for patients with myasthenia gravis. This procedure has been a common approach for treating the disease, but the science around its effectiveness has been somewhat unclear, as some patients appear to benefit more from a thymectomy than others. This study highlights which patients are most likely to benefit and achieve remission.
About Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a rare neuromuscular disease which is characterized by weakness of the muscles that control the eyes, face, and swallowing. In more severe cases, other muscle groups may become affected. The illness is considered an autoimmune disease in which the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks a protein which plays a role in muscle function. Symptoms include drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty chewing and swallowing, difficulty speaking, and facial muscle weakness. If this long term disease is allowed to progress, the respiratory muscles can become involved, requiring breathing assistance. Symptoms can appear suddenly and often worsen over the course of the day. Treatment can involve plasmapharesis, surgery, and medications. Most affected patients have an enlarged thymus or a tumor on the organ. With treatment, most patients can live fairly normal lives. To learn more about myasthenia gravis, click here.
What is a Thymectomy?
A thymectomy is a surgical operation in which the thymus, a lymphoid organ that is located behind the lungs and plays a role in the immune system, is removed. Prior research helped prove that the procedure could work for many patients particularly when used in combination with a course of steroids.
Study Findings
Thymomas, a type of tumor which can appear on the thymus, can be a causative factor for myasthenia gravis, but they are not always present. The researchers found that patients with milder disease who did not have a thymoma were more likely to benefit from a thymectomy. Their likelihood of experiencing remission after the operation was more than double.
Overall, the study authors still say that a thymectomy could still be a viable option for any patient with myasthenia gravis, as even patients with thymomas and more severe disease still had a chance of seeing benefit, especially if their current therapies were not working. Learn more about this study here.
