A CASE OF PURE RED CELL ANEMIA AFTER SURGERY FOR A THYMOMA

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman undergone an extended thymectomy for a thymoma, which was of type AB on the WHO histological classification and in clinical stage I, was followed in the outpatient clinic. Three months after the operation, she complained of general fatigue and was found to have anemia on hematological examinations. Almost no red cells were identified in bone marrow examination, and pure red cell anemia was diagnosed. Symptomatic remission was attained with blood transfusion. Oral administration of prednisolone was started after making the definite diagnosis, but her anemia did not improve and additional transfusion was required. After initiation of oral administration of cyclosporine, remission of anemia was gained and we are gradually decreasing the dose of cyclosporine at present.
It is known that thymomas are often associated with pure red cell anemia or myasthenia gravis, however, there have been few reports on pure red cell anemia appeared after thymectomy. In this paper we present some consideration on correlations between pure red cell anemia and thymomas as well. We must carefully follow the patients even after thymectomy by keeping the possible association of pure red cell anemia or myasthenia gravis in mind.