International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group

The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) is an international voluntary association founded in 2010 that focuses on thymic malignancies and other mediastinal diseases. Its mission is to promote the advancement of clinical and basic science pertaining to thymic and other mediastinal malignancies and related conditions. ITMIG grew out of efforts by the Foundation for Thymic Cancer Research (FTCR), which was established in 2003 by patients and family members affected by thymic malignancies. The FTCR organized conferences in New York (2007) and Houston (2008), culminating in the first International Conference on Thymic Malignancies co-sponsored with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda in August 2009. The concept of a dedicated scientific organization was born in late 2008, and ITMIG was formally initiated at its first conference in New York on May 5–6, 2010. ITMIG serves as a collaborative infrastructure for researchers, clinicians, and patients, producing standard definitions, policies, and reporting measures for thymic epithelial tumors, and maintaining a database and virtual tumor board. It also organizes conferences, webinars, and educational resources, and designates May as Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month. The organization is governed by a board of directors with international representation, including presidents from Belgium, Poland, and the United States. ITMIG is a non-profit entity that relies on donations and member support.

The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) was established as a formal organization in 2010, but its roots trace back to the Foundation for Thymic Cancer Research (FTCR), founded in 2003 by patients and family members affected by thymic malignancies. The FTCR aimed to address the limited knowledge and understanding of thymic malignancies. It organized conferences in New York in 2007 and Houston in 2008, bringing together researchers and clinicians. These efforts culminated in the first International Conference on Thymic Malignancies, co-sponsored with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), held in Bethesda in August 2009. During these meetings, it became clear that progress required a scientific infrastructure for collaborative research. The concept of a dedicated scientific organization was born in late 2008, and preliminary work in early 2009 led to a transitional structure at the August 2009 conference. The transitional workgroups then led to the initiation of ITMIG as a formal organization at its first conference in New York on May 5–6, 2010. Since then, ITMIG has grown into an international voluntary association with a board of directors, committees, and working groups. It has developed standard definitions, policies, and reporting measures for thymic epithelial tumors, and maintains a database and virtual tumor board. ITMIG organizes regular conferences, webinars, and educational activities, and designates May as Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month. The organization continues to foster collaborative research and improve clinical management of thymic malignancies worldwide.

• 2010

  ITMIG initiated as a formal organization at its first conference in New York on May 5–6.

• 2009

  First International Conference on Thymic Malignancies co-sponsored with NIH held in Bethesda in August; transitional structure implemented.

• 2008

  FTCR organizes a conference in Houston; concept of a dedicated scientific organization is born in late 2008.

• 2007

  FTCR organizes a conference in New York.

• 2003

  Foundation for Thymic Cancer Research (FTCR) founded by patients and family members.

International collaborative research and standards organization for thymic malignancies.

1. 1ITMIG - International Thymic Malignancy Interest Groupitmig.org
2. 2ITMIG - History of ITMIGitmig.org
3. 3ITMIG - About International Thymic Malignancy Interest Groupitmig.org
4. 4ITMIG - Boarditmig.org
5. 5Wikidata - International Thymic Malignancy Interest Groupwikidata.org
6. 6Wikipedia (French) - International Thymic Malignancy Interest Groupfr.wikipedia.org