Thymoma
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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. Metastases are uncommon in thymoma, although thymic lymphoma is metastatic. Thymic carcinoma has also been suspected in a case involving metastasis to a bone tumor.
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 [PDF]
- 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) [PDF]
- James K. Morrisey and Margaret McEntee. (2005). Therapeutic Options for Thymoma in the Rabbits [PDF]
The following is a list of hospitals that have radiation oncology departments that may be able to treat rabbits for thymomas:
- United Kingdom
- Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice at The University of Edinburgh (Midlothian, Scotland)
- United States
- VCA California Veterinary Specialists - Carlsbad (Carlsbad, California)
- UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (Davis, California)
- Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colorado)
- Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital (Wheat Ridge, Colorado) - does not normally take exotics but has worked with Drs. Gardhouse and Swift from Evolution Veterinary Specialists for cases
- University of Florida Small Animal Hospital (Gainesville, Florida)
- Harrington Oncology Service at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (North Grafton, Massachusetts)
- Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center (East Lansing, Michigan)
- Cornell University Hospital for Animals (Ithaca, New York)
- Animal Medical Center Cancer Institute (New York, New York)
- NC State Veterinary Hospital (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (Houston, Texas)
- Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Pullman, Washington)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wisconsin)
Experiences
- woodwink3d. (2024). Sesame's story with radiation treatment
- Maurice Liang. (2023). Bella's story with radiation treatment, treatment update
- u/WickAndFable. (2023). Fable's story with steroid treatment (RIP)
- 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 (RIP)
- 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. (RIP)
- u/X63914. (2019). Thumper's story - passed while under anesthesia to trim molar spurs with diagnosed thymoma (RIP)
- 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.
- Allison Zwingenberger. (2015). Radiographs of a 5-year-old rabbit with respiratory distress diagnosed with a cystic thymoma
- Allison Zwingenberger. (2015). Radiographs of an 8-year-old rabbit with leukocytosis discovered at wellness examination (27,000) and diagnosed with a lymphocytic-rich thymoma
- Avian and Exotics Service - Ontario Veterinary College. (2014). Pierrot the rabbit traveled to Michigan from Ontario, Canada, to receive weekly radiation treatment
- 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
Further reading
- Rachel Sibbald. (2020). Thymomas in rabbits
- Esther van Praag. Sebaceous adenitis associated to thymoma in rabbits
- The Unusual Pet Vets. (2018). Chest Masses in Rabbits [PDF]
- PetMD. (2010). Lung Tumors and Lung Cancer in Rabbits
- House Rabbit Society. (2006). Thymomas in Rabbits