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The thymus is a small but important gland that lies just behind the breast bone, and on top of the heart. It normally does not cause any problems for the vast majority of people except in two main cases:

  1. tumors of the thymus, called thymomas, and
  2. myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness

Thymomas are rare tumors that can span the spectrum of malignancy from benign to aggressively cancerous. Just as in the case of lung cancer, each patient needs to be individualized and a treatment plan outlined specific to their situation. Fortunately, the majority of thymomas can be removed using minimally invasive techniques such as robotic assisted resection which allows for discharge the day after surgery, or shortly thereafter.

Patients with myasthenia gravis are frequently referred for removal of their thymus gland in hopes of improving or curing their symptoms. Dr. Sommers has one of the largest practices of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis in the state of Florida. He has extensive experience with the DaVinci surgical robot for the removal of the thymus for patients with myasthenia. Please consult with your neurologist if you have myasthenia to see if robotic assisted thymectomy would be right for you.

In the News

Review of Thoracic Surgical Oncology