Systemic lupus erythematosus and invasive thymoma: report of two cases.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Invasive thymoma in 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are described. In both instances the suspected diagnosis of a mediastinal tumor proved difficult to confirm. Neither surgical removal of the thymoma in one case nor irradiation in the other had any apparent clinical or serological effect of the course of the SLE. Both patients subsequently suffered from respiratory problem. The distinction between recurrent tumor and pulmonary involvement by SLE proved difficult. One patient had a good response to pulse methylprednisolone, but the other later developed tumor recurrence and died of Pneumocystis carinii infection following cytotoxic therapy 3 yr after discovery of the tumor.