The association between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and thymoma occurs with a greater frequency than dictated by coincidence alone. The immunologic effects of thymectomy on the appearance and/or the course of SLE are still to be elucidated. We report one case of SLE diagnosed at the same time as thymoma, and two cases of thymoma associated with immunologic disorders in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms diagnostic of SLE.
Hahn BH . An overview of the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Wallace DJ , Hahn BH (eds). Dubois' Lupus Erythematosus, 4th edn.Lea & Febiger: Philadelphia , 1993, pp. 67–70.
2.
Sprent J . T lymphocytes and the thymus. In: Paul WE (ed). Fundamental Immunology, 2nd edn.Raven Press: New York , 1989, pp. 69–93.
3.
Souadjian JV , Enriquez P , Silverstein MN et al. The spectrum of disease associated with thymoma. Coincidence or syndrome?Arch Intern Med1974; 134: 374–379 .
4.
Conti-Fine BM , Protti MP , Bellone M et al. Myasthenia Gravis: The Immunobiology of an Autoimmune Disease. RG Landes Company: Austin, TX , 1997.
5.
Sherer Y , Bar-Dayan Y , Shoenfeld Y . Thymectomy and autoimmune diseases. The dual connection . Sem Clin Immunol1997; 1: 5–11 .
6.
Maggi G , Casadio C , Cavallo A et al. Thymoma: result of 241 operated cases . Ann Thorac Surg1992; 51: 152–156 .
7.
Zandman-Goddard G , Lorber M , Shoenfeld Y . Systemic lupus erythematosus and thymoma–a double-edged sword . Int Arch Allergy Immunol1995; 108: 99–102 .
8.
Mevorach D , Perrot S , Buchanan NMM et al. Appearance of systemic lupus erythematosus after thymectomy: four case reports and review of the literature . Lupus1995; 4: 33–37 .
9.
Cayla J , Rondier J , Kahan A et al. Thymome et maladie lupique. A propos de deux observations . Rev Rhum1975; 42 (4): 253–262 .
10.
Simeone JF , McCloud T , Putman CE et al. Thymoma and systemic lupus erythematous . Thorax1975; 30: 697–700 .
11.
Malas D , Weiss S . Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and cryptococcal meningitis with systemic lupus erythematosus and thymoma . Ann Neurol1977; 1: 188–191 .
12.
Mastaglia FL , Papadimitriou JM , Dawkins RL et al. Vacuolar myopathy associated with chloroquine, lupus erythematosus and thymoma. Report of a case with unusual mitochondrial changes and lipid accumulation in muscle . J Neurol Sci1977; 34: 315–328 .
13.
Mizon JP , Morcamp D , Lefebvre P et al. Les associations myasthenielupus erythemateux dissemine. A propose de deux observations avec revue complete de la litterature . Ann Med Interne1979; 11: 489–500 .
14.
Claudy AL , Touraine JL , Schmitt D et al. Thymoma and lupus erythematosus. Report of 3 cases . Thymus1983; 5: 209–222 .
15.
Steven MM , Westedt ML , Eulderink F et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus and invasive thymoma: report of two cases . Ann Rheum Dis1984; 43: 825–828 .
16.
Cruz PD Jr , Coldiron BM , Sontheimer RD . Concurrent features of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and pemphigus erythematosus following myasthenia gravis and thymoma . J Am Acad Dermatol1987; 16: 472–480 .
17.
Fournel P , Emonot A , Claudy AL et al. Thymoma and lupus: a propos of a case with recurrences and histological dedifferentiation . Rev Pneumol Clin1987; 43 (2): 98–101 .
18.
Parakova Z , Hrncir Z , Nozicka Z . Thymoma in the anterior mediastinum and systemic lupus erythematosus . Vnitrni Lekarstvi1992; 38 (2): 177–183 .
19.
Menon S , Snaith ML , Isenberg DA . The association of malignancy with SLE: an analysis of 150 patients under long-term review . Lupus1993; 2 (3): 177–181 .
20.
Duchman R , Schwarting A , Poralla T et al. Thymoma and pure red cell aplasia in a patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus . Scand J Rheumatol1995; 24: 251–254 .
21.
Rosman A , Atsumi T , Khamashta MA et al. Development of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus after chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant thymoma . Br J Rheumatol1995; 34: 1175–1176 .
22.
Calabrese LH , Bach JF , Currie T et al. Development of systemic lupus erythematosus after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis . Arch Intern Med1981; 141: 253–254 .
23.
Horowitz S , Borcherding W , Moorthy AV et al. Induction of supressor T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus by thymosin and cultured thymic epithelium . Science1977; 197: 999–1001 .
24.
Mackay IR , Goldtein G , MacConchie IH . Thymectomy in systemic lupus erythematosus . BMJ1963; ii: 475–478 .
25.
Milne JA , Anderson JR , MacSween RN . Thymectomy in acute SLE and RA . BMJ1967; i: 461–464 .
26.
Steinberg AD , Law LD , Talal N . The role of NZB/NZW F1 thymus in experimental tolerance and autoimmunity . Arthritis Rheum1970; 13: 369–377 .
27.
Shoenfeld Y , Isenberg D . The Mosaic of Autoimmunity. Elsevier: Amsterdam , 1989, pp. 271–278.
28.
Alarcon-Segovia D , Galbraith RF , Maldonado JE et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus following thymectomy for myasthenia gravis . Lancet1963; 2: 662–665 .
