Malignant thymic lymphoblastic lymphoma and myasthenia gravis: an exceptional association

Nouv Rev Fr Hematol (1978). 1992;34(2):221-3.

Abstract

Thymic lymphoblastic lymphoma and myasthenia gravis rarely coexist. Only two cases have been reported and we describe here a third case. A 60 year old man presented a typical history of myasthenia gravis, confirmed by neurological investigations including electromyography. Chest X-ray revealed an anterior mediastinal tumor. At thoracotomy, a 60 mm mass adherent to the pericardium was excised and a lymphoblastic lymphoma was diagnosed. The lymphogram showed enlarged pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes consistent with lymphoma. A m-BACOD chemotherapy regimen gave rapid and complete remission of both lymphoma and myasthenia gravis and the patient is now alive 25 months after the start of chemotherapy with no evidence of disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology