Thymoma-associated graft-versus-host disease-like erythroderma

J Thorac Oncol. 2007 Dec;2(12):1130-2. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e31815ba23a.

Abstract

We report a 40-year-old woman with recurrent thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis, in whom an unusual form of erythroderma developed. A histological examination revealed a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-like reaction. After high-dose steroid therapy, the metastatic thymoma lesion in the abdominal cavity was reduced in size from 9.5 x 6 x 7.5 cm to 4 x 3 x 1 cm in diameter. Nevertheless, the GVHD-like erythroderma become aggravated, her condition worsened, and the patient finally suffered from respiratory failure and died of sepsis. A GVHD-like reaction may be a rare presentation of thymoma-associated immunological disorders such as myasthenia gravis or pure red cell aplasia. Herein, we discuss the present case and review pertinent reports of thymoma cases associated with GVHD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Dermatitis, Exfoliative / complications
  • Dermatitis, Exfoliative / diagnosis*
  • Dermatitis, Exfoliative / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / surgery
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Thymectomy / methods
  • Thymoma / complications
  • Thymoma / pathology*
  • Thymoma / surgery
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome