Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis: Who Benefits?

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/spotlight/gmg/119691...

Published: Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:13:15 -0500

A thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus to help reduce muscle weakness and fatigue in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).[1] Approximately 70% of thymectomy patients experience improvement in symptoms, and 30 to 40% achieve complete remission.[1] The first randomized study from 2016 confirmed the benefit of thymectomy even in patients without a tumor in the chest, with better objective and subjective results compared to treatment with drugs alone.[2] Thymectomy reduces the need for corticosteroids, hospitalizations, and arrest therapies, especially in generalized MG without thymoma.[2][3][4] Studies show complete stable remission rates of 27.7% at 10 years, 37.6% at 25 years, and 47.3% at 40 years.[3] In patients aged 18 to 50 years with non-thymomatous MG, the need for salvage therapy decreased from 44.44% to 24.44% after surgery.[4] The decision about thymectomy depends on the presence of thymoma and the type of autoantibodies.[user]