Erythrocytosis caused by erythropoietin-producing thymic carcinoma.
We describe the first reported case, in an 82-year-old man, of erythrocytosis caused by an erythropoietin (EPO)-producing thymic carcinoma. The patient underwent computed tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration of a 6-cm anterior mediastinal mass, and histological findings revealed thymic squamous cell carcinoma. The existence of EPO was confirmed immunohistochemically using the tumor tissue. Postoperative clinical improvement of erythrocytosis and the decline of EPO suggest a paraneoplastic nature of erythrocytosis as seen in this patient.
Munakata
Wataru
W
Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan.
Ohashi
Kazuteru
K
Sakaguchi
Koji
K
Horio
Hirotoshi
H
Hishima
Tsunekazu
T
Akiyama
Hideki
H
Sakamaki
Hisashi
H
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D018962:Phlebotomy; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004921:Erythropoietin