What is the thymus?
The thymus is a gland in our chests which allows our immune system to mature correctly. Some people with MG have a tumor of the thymus gland called a thymoma. Other people with MG have an overgrowth of their thymus. For the last twenty years neurologists have believed that removing the thymus gland, even if it is not cancerous makes the long term treatment of the disease much easier. There is a well designed trial about to begin to test this theory. Currently , thymectomy is still considered a very good option for anyone with moderate or severe disease who is a good surgical candidate. return to top Do we know what causes our bodies to produce antibodies to attack our muscles? There is no known cause for MG. There is a link to other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease or diabetes. There may also be a link to the thymus gland, but as of yet there is no answer to why some people make antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor. return to top How do our muscles recover their strength
