The Thymus Dilemma: Does Removing a Small Gland Raise Cancer Risk in Adults?

An NEJM study suggests adult thymus removal may double five‑year mortality and cancer risk, highlighting the gland’s potential health role and prompting caution to preserve it when possible. However, a 2025 Yale analysis found no clear harm from thymectomy, and researchers stress that the findings are observational and not causal, signaling the need for more research to understand the true impact.