The role of thymectomy in red cell aplasia.
Red cell aplasia is an unusual cause of anemia. Fifty percent of all patients with red cell aplasia will have a thymoma. Twenty-five to 30% of those who undergo thymectomy will be cured. Data are presented that suggest that any patient with red cell aplasia should have thymectomy through a median sternotomy. One of 3 such patients who underwent the operation has had complete remission for two years.
D000368:Aged; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*