Anterior mediastinal lymphoma arising after resection of an invasive thymoma and immunosuppressive therapy for complicated myasthenia gravis

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2013;19(6):485-8. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.12.01817. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

Abstract

We present the case of a 56-year-old woman with an anterior mediastinal tumor who has past history of myasthenia gravis and invasive thymoma. Furthermore, she had superior vena cava syndrome that was caused by a rapidly growing tumor. A biopsy proved diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After 8 courses of chemotherapy, remission of the lymphoma was achieved. Because a second primary malignancy, including lymphoma, can occur in patients with thymoma, a biopsy is necessary for tumors located in the anterior mediastinum, particularly in patients with a history of treatment for thymoma, to distinguish between recurrence and a second primary malignancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / complications
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Radiography
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / etiology
  • Thymoma*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents