Thymoma

Thymomas are tumors that originate from the thymus, a specialized organ of the immune system in the chest cavity.

Symptoms

 * Eye bulging (exophthalmus)


 * Third eye protusion
 * Swelling of the head, neck, or forelimbs
 * Abnormally rapid breathing (tachypnea)
 * Difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea)


 * Widespread scaling of the skin (exfoliative dermatitis)
 * Sebaceous adenitis

Diagnosis
Radiographs and CT scans will diagnose the existence of a chest mass, but a biopsy is necessary to distinguish between a thymoma and thymic lymphoma.

Treatment

 * Surgery
 * Radiation therapy
 * Chemotherapy
 * Steroids: most often prednisolone, but sometimes dexamethasone.

The following are more resources on treatment options for rabbits:


 * Alyssa Palmer et al. (2021). Outcomes and survival times of client-owned rabbits diagnosed with thymoma and treated with either prednisolone or radiotherapy, or left untreated
 * La’Toya Latney, DVM. (2016). Exotics Oncology: Special Focus on Updates on Therapies for Rabbits & Ferrets
 * Clinician's Brief. (2012). Surgery: Not Ideal for Rabbit Thymoma?
 * F. Künzel et al. (2012). Thymomas in rabbits: clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
 * D. Guzman Sanchez-Migallon et al. (2006). Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Thymoma in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
 * James K. Morrisey and Margaret McEntee. (2005). Therapeutic Options for Thymoma in the Rabbits

Experiences

 * Maurice Liang. (2023). Bella's story with radiation treatment, treatment update
 * u/WickAndFable. (2023). Fable's story with steroid treatment
 * Against All Odds Rabbit Rescue. (2022). Tyrion's story with steroid treatment
 * u/faithanyacordelia. (2021). [Story of 11yo rabbit with thymoma in remission after radiation treatment]
 * Katheryn L. Sullivan Kutil. (2021). A Little MSU Magic: Palliative Radiation Therapy for Nanny, the Unicorn Rabbit
 * Devin Roktya. (2021). Rabbit travels from Seattle for life‑saving treatment
 * Tallulah Rabbit & Friends. (2021). Tallulah's story
 * Rusty & Furriends: Vegas Dumpsite Bunnies. (2021). Jenny's story - 7yo rabbit received radiation therapy for 2 months to shrink the tumor
 * u/rileybun. (2020). Riley's story with radiation treatment
 * u/headpeon. (2020). Ninja's story with steroid treament.
 * u/X63914. (2019). Thumper's story - passed while under anesthesia to trim molar spurs with diagnosed thymoma
 * Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice. (2016). Booboo's story - 9yo rabbit received radiation therapy to reduce the size of tumor
 * u/yoyomamma. (2015). Update on Nikki, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in October.
 * The Scootie Scoop. (2013).
 * RabbitsOnline. (2013). Thymoma cancer
 * Rabbit Reporter's Warren. (2012). General has Thymoma, Too: Two Buns, One Pet Store
 * /somecows/. (2011). Thymoma in Rabbits: Paco’s Story
 * Davida Kobler. (2004). A Miracle for Hopnoodle