INTRODUCTION

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is defined as anemia in the presence of severe reticulocytopenia and absent or markedly decreased erythroid precursors in the marrow. When associated with another disease entity, it is classified as secondary acquired PRCA. A rare entity, thymolipoma, which constitutes 2% to 9% of thymic tumors has been associated with PRCA in some studies. The prevalence of thymolipoma among patients with myasthenia gravis reaches 43.8%. This paper presents the rare presentation of myasthenia gravis associated with thymolipoma and PRCA.

CASE

We present the case of a 64-year-old female who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and has been on maintenance pyridostigmine (Mestinon) for 12 years. She presented with symptoms of anemia and became transfusion requiring. Routine chest CT showed a thymic mass which was confirmed to be a thymolipoma during biopsy. Bone marrow studies confirmed the absence of erythroids, hence the diagnosis of secondary acquired PRCA.

DISCUSSION

There have been case reports associating PRCA with thymolipomas. Thymolipomas, which constitute 2% to 9% of thymic tumors are found among patients with myasthenia gravis, but the majority remains asymptomatic despite increasing tumor size. PRCA with associated thymic mass shows improvement of symptoms with tumor removal and immunosuppression. Oral corticosteroids result in a response rate of 39% while cyclosporine results in 77% response. This can be tapered off once response has been achieved.

CONCLUSION

This case report emphasizes the importance of early bone marrow studies among patients with myasthenia gravis presenting with sudden onset anemia.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Red-cell Aplasia, Pure ; Myasthenia Gravis

INTRODUCTION

Parotid lymphoma is a rare occurrence, let alone a diagnosis of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL). Salivary gland tumors commonly affect the parotid gland, although a primary malignant lesion rarely occurs, with an incidence of 0.5 to 3.0/100,000 population/year worldwide. This case report describes the presentation of this rare lymphoma. This also demonstrates the efficacy of standard of care chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vincristine, bleomycin, and dacarbazine with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab (R-ABVD).

CASE

This is a case of a 44-year-old male with a gradually enlarging right preauricular mass. Biopsy and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a diagnosis of NLPHL Stage IIA. A total of six cycles of chemotherapy with R-ABVD was given. Follow-up PET CT showed resolution of FDG avid nodes localized near the surgically removed parotid gland, confirming complete remission.

DISCUSSION

Parotid malignancy only accounts for 5% of all head and neck tumors. NLPHL is even more rare, with an incidence of 1.5/1,000,000 population per year. The rarity of the case limits clinical trials for its treatment. Because of this, R-ABVD has been employed as a treatment of choice for intermediate-staged NLPHL. Overall response showed an 85% five-year progression-free survival and 99% overall survival.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the significance of early lymphoma detection despite its rarity among parotid tumors and prompt initiation of chemotherapy.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Lymphocytes ; Hodgkin Disease

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Individuals with myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) have blood cell parameters representing abnormal proliferation of the cell line/lines affected. Considering the implication of symptom burden scores to treatment response and disease progression, with the same implication among changes in blood cell parameters, a question of correlation between the two variables becomes inevitable. This study aims to determine the correlation of controlled blood counts, severity of symptoms and quality of life of individuals with MPN.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

This is a cross-sectional analytical study and a sub-study from the Filipino myeloproliferative neoplasia quality of life (MPN-QOL) multicenter study. Secondary data obtained from the parent study will be used as primary data of this sub-study. Comparative analyses were conducted using Chi-Square Test of Homogeneity or Fisher’s Exact Test. Association analysis used Cramer’s V coefficient.

RESULTS

Data in this study has shown 52.65 years old as the average age of participants. Most participants had mild symptom burden at 60.53% with the most common symptom being fatigue. Comparative analysis showed the absence of identified statistical difference in the overall symptom burden severity among the three types of MPN.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In this study, there was no statistically significant correlation between the severity of symptom burden or quality of life, and the degree of blood count control among the three types of MPN. In practice, controlling hematologic parameters has been a goal to achieve among patients with MPN. This study suggests symptom control and quality of life is not necessarily affected by blood count control.

Human ; Polycythemia Vera ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; Myelofibrosis ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; Symptom Burden ; Quality Of Life