Thymoma (tumours)
Failure of development of the Thymus may be complete, called Aplasia, or relative, called Hypoplasia. Complete lack of thymic development called the Di George Syndrome, is due to damaged embryonic development around the eighth week of pregnancy, and may be associated with abnormalities of development of the thyroid, parathyroid, heart and great vessels. Total lack of T-cell immunity may be aided by transplantation of foetal thymic tissue. Relative failure of development, partial Di George Syndrome causes a reduction in circulatory T-lymphocytes and susceptibility to viral infections. It may correct itself by the age of five.
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