title: Erythrocytosis caused by erythropoietin-producing thymic carcinoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan.
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Munakata
authors.forename: Kazuteru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
authors.forename: Hirotoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Horio
authors.forename: Tsunekazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hishima
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakamaki
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin