There's a small fatty gland that sits behind your sternum and is often said to be 'useless' in adulthood. Research, however, suggests the thymus gland is not nearly as expendable as experts once thought. Although not all scientists agree on this. In a study in 2023, US researchers found that those who get their thymus removed face an increased risk of death from any cause in the five years following the surgery. They also face an increased risk of developing cancer during that time. "W e