Thymoma with systemic lupus erythematosus and immune-related anemia: A case of thymoma with SLE and IRA

Abstract

Introduction: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), including thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Thymomas are rare tumors, but are one of the most common mediastinal neoplasms in adults. The pathology of thymoma with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and severe pancytopenia is rarely reported. Thus, the current study demonstrates a case of thymoma with SLE and immune-related anemia with unique clinical manifestation. Patient concerns: A 27-year-old woman suffered from abdominal pain, arthralgia, intermittent high fever for a long time. Diagnosis: Based on the clinical and histopathological manifestations, diagnosis of thymoma with SLE and immune-related anemia was established. Interventions: Patient was treated with methylprednisolone and a complete thymectomy and thymomectomy, the CAP regimen was given 4 times of adjuvant chemotherapy after the operation. Outcomes: After inter-disciplinary consultation as well as extensive discussion and steroid pulse therapy underwent surgery, the patient’s blood count and immune function gradually entry sent back to normal. Conclusion: we present the diagnosis and treatment of a case of thymoma with SLE and immune-related anemia, and provides references for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of thymoma combined with SLE, and attempts to explain that SLE patients with thymoma may contribute to the clinical remission of SLE after thymoma resection. It should arouse the attention of clinicians when diagnosing and treating related diseases.