## Overview Thymoma is a neoplasm of thymic epithelial cells and the most common cranial mediastinal mass in adult horses. It can compress the cranial vena cava, causing ventral edema of the head and forelimbs, jugular distension, pleural effusion, and dyspnea. Paraneoplastic syndromes may occur. Weight loss is common. ## Causes Neoplastic. ## Diagnosis Thoracic ultrasound or radiographs, cytology or biopsy. ## Treatment Surgical removal when feasible. Palliative corticosteroids. Prognosis depends on invasiveness. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Non-invasive thymomas have a better outlook than invasive ones. ## Prevention None.
pleural effusion; ventral edema of head and forelimbs; dyspnea; jugular distension; weight loss
## Overview Thymoma is a neoplasm of thymic epithelial cells and the most common cranial mediastinal mass in adult horses. It can compress the cranial vena cava, causing ventral edema of the head and forelimbs, jugular distension, pleural effusion, and dyspnea. Paraneoplastic syndromes may occur. Weight loss is common. ## Causes Neoplastic. ## Diagnosis Thoracic ultrasound or radiographs, cytology or biopsy. ## Treatment Surgical removal when feasible. Palliative corticosteroids. Prognosis depends on invasiveness. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Non-invasive thymomas have a better outlook than invasive ones. ## Prevention None.
pleural effusion; ventral edema of head and forelimbs; dyspnea; jugular distension; weight loss