Open AccessThymoma masquerading as transfusion dependent anemia
Author(s) -
Javvid Muzamil,
Aejaz Aziz Shiekh,
Gull Mohammad Bhat,
Abdul Rashid Lone,
Shuaeb Bhat,
Firdousa Nabi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of medical and paediatric oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 0975-2129
pISSN - 0971-5851
DOI - 10.4103/0971-5851.195729
Subject(s) - thymoma , medicine , pure red cell aplasia , myasthenia gravis , immunosuppression , etiology , anemia , thymectomy , aplastic anemia , surgery , bone marrow
Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a known entity in clinical medicine. Patients are often transfusion dependent for their whole life. Ascertaining its etiology is always a herculean task. We received a similar transfusion-dependent patient, who on evaluation was found to have thymoma as an etiological factor. Thymoma presenting as PRCA is seen in 2%–5% patients and evaluating PRCA for thymoma is seen in 5%–13% patient. As per the WHO histopathological classification, thymoma has six types and Type A is associated with PRCA and Type B is associated with myasthenia gravis. This correlation was not seen in our patient, who had Type B thymoma. Surgical resection of thymus improves 30% of PRCA and rest needs immunosuppression. Our patient was not the surgical candidate, and hence he was put on chemotherapy.