Autopsy case of non-invasive thymoma associated with pancytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia
Nomori, H.; Kobayashi, R.; Takahashi, Y.; Iga, R.; Morinaga, S.
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 31(2): 261-266
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1542 PMID: 8515609 Document Number: 408883
A 57-year-old male presented with palpitations and dyspnea on exertion. Examination of the peripheral blood and bone marrow showed pancytopenia with marked red cell aplasia. Hypogammaglobulinemia was also recognized. Chest X-ray and CT showed a mass in the anterior mediastinum. A biopsy showed thymoma. Two months after admission, the patient died of sepsis secondary to worsening pancytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. Autopsy showed non-invasive spindle cell type thymoma and a marked decrease of hematogenous cells. Review of the literature indicates that pancytopenia associated with thymoma is resistant to all forms of treatment and its prognosis is poor.