Rare paraneoplastic aplastic anemia in malignant thymoma patient: a case report

Abstract

Aplastic anemia, a rare immune-mediated complication, presented as pancytopenia was

described in a patient with malignant thymoma. It may present together with, or prior to, tumor

diagnosis or occur after tumor resection. Immunosuppressive therapy or allogeneic hematopoietic

stem cell transplantation is required. In this report, we present the case of a 38-year-old man with

an inoperable type B1 thymoma who developed prolonged pancytopenia after two cycles of

palliative chemotherapy. Bone marrow biopsy was carried out and severe aplastic anemia was

established. The patient was unsuccessfully treated with anti-thymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine.

Difficulty in treating remains a problem. Further studies are needed to determine the proper

treatment plan.

Keywords: Aplastic anemia, thymoma, anti-thymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, prognosis