Multiple paraneoplastic diseases occurring in the same patient after thymomectomy

J Neurooncol. 2010 Sep;99(2):287-8. doi: 10.1007/s11060-010-0130-z. Epub 2010 Feb 10.

Abstract

Thymoma-associated paraneoplastic diseases include myasthenia gravis (MG), neuromyotonia (NMT), Morvan's syndrome, and several non-neurological paraneoplastic manifestations, including glomerulonephritis. Paraneoplastic syndromes often precede the occurrence of thymoma, but cases occurring after thymomectomy, which sometimes herald the recurrence of thymoma, have also been described. We report on a patient who developed MG after thymomectomy for a malignant thymoma. After MG remission, NMT and Morvan's syndrome occurred, which heralded a mediastinic recurrence, as demonstrated only by autopsy findings.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Isaacs Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Isaacs Syndrome / etiology*
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / etiology*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology*
  • Prognosis
  • Syringomyelia / drug therapy
  • Syringomyelia / etiology*
  • Thymectomy / adverse effects*
  • Thymoma / surgery*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery*