免疫衰老的作用，特别是衰老过程中胸腺退化的自然过程，越来越多地被认为是导致自身免疫性疾病和癌症发展的一个因素。最近，人们担心胸腺组织手术切除的有害后果，包括因重症肌无力（MG）而接受胸腺切除术或胸腺瘤切除术的患者。本综述采用多学科方法来审查有关胸腺切除术后癌症和自身免疫性长期风险的证据。我们的结论是，对于乙酰胆碱受体抗体阳性的重症肌无力患者和被诊断患有胸腺瘤的患者来说，切除胸腺带来的好处远远超过了潜在的风险。然而，只要可行，应尽量减少其他胸外科手术期间无意中切除胸腺组织的情况。

The role of immunosenescence, particularly the natural process of thymic involution during aging, is increasingly acknowledged as a factor contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Recently, a concern has been raised about deleterious consequences of the surgical removal of thymic tissue, including for patients who undergo thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) or resection of a thymoma. This review adopts a multidisciplinary approach to scrutinize the evidence concerning the long-term risks of cancer and autoimmunity postthymectomy. We conclude that for patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive MG and those diagnosed with thymoma, the removal of the thymus offers prominent benefits that well outweigh the potential risks. However, incidental removal of thymic tissue during other thoracic surgeries should be minimized whenever feasible.