This is an anterior mediastinal mass. The thymus is located in this region. The microscopic appearance is that of a thymoma, with a mixture of epithelial cells and lymphocytes. About 30 to 45% of thymomas are associated with myasthenia gravis. Of persons with myasthenia gravis, about 65% will have thymic hyperplasia and 15% thymoma, and thymectomy will typically result in clinical improvement. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies are usually present in the serum of myasthenic patients. Other less common paraneoplastic syndromes seen with thymomas include Grave's disease, pernicious anemia, dermatomyositis, Cushing's syndrome, red cell aplasia, and hypogammaglobulinemia.
| Our winner is: Dr. Pamela Boswell of San Diego, California, USA
| |
Return to the C.O.W. main menu.