A case of thymoma with pure red cell aplasia

Abstract

We report a case of thymoma with pure red cell aplasia. A 75-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea on effort, and his blood examination showed severe anemia (Hb 5.5g/dl). Bone marrow aspiration showed erythroid aplasia and normal level of myelocyte. Chest CT scan revealed a solid tumor of 4cm in size in the anterior mediastinum. He was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia associated with thymoma and underwent extended thymothymectomy following transfusion of concentrated red cells. Pathological findings of the resected specimen showed type B1 thymoma due to the World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification. Tumor invasion to the mediastinal pleura was confirmed, so Masaoka's staging classification was stage II. Because the anemia persisted one month after the operation, Cyclosporin A (100mg/day) was administered for postoperative adjuvant therapy. Three weeks later, increase of reticulocyte and improvement of anemia was successfully provided. Twelve months after the operation, he remains well without recurrence.