Thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity: a graft-versus-host-like disease.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a T cell-mediated disease seen most commonly after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Rarely, a GVHD-like disease can be seen in patients with malignant thymoma. We describe a 50-year-old man with malignant thymoma who developed skin, liver, and intestinal manifestations similar to that seen in GVHD. We also review other reported cases of GVHD-like manifestations in the setting of thymoma and propose "thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity" as a name for this novel disease. Specifically, thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity is defined as a disease of the liver, intestine, or skin, which on histopathology resembles GVHD but is seen in the setting of malignant thymoma and not after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Wadhera
Akhil
A
Permanente Medical Group, Fremont, California, USA.
Maverakis
Emanual
E
Mitsiades
Nicholas
N
Lara
Primo N
PN
Fung
Maxwell A
MA
Lynch
Peter J
PJ
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000276:immunology*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery