Two cases of pure red cell aplasia that developed during chemotherapy for invasive thymoma

Background. Thymoma is often associated with various autoimmune disease, and pure red cell aplasia occurs in 5% of thymoma patients. Pure red cell aplasia is classified into several groups, and in secondary pure red cell aplasia, it has various causes, however, there have been few reports on the association of development of pure red cell aplasia and chemotherapy. Cases. Case 1, a 36-year-old man was administrated induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and amrubicin for invasive thymoma (WHO type B2, Masaoka classification III). Thymoma decreased in size, but he suffered from severe anemia, and pure red cell aplasia was diagnosed based on data from peripheral blood examination and bone marrow aspiration. Administration of cyclosporin and corticosteroid improved his anemia. Case 2, a 45-year-old woman was given chemotherapy with cisplatin and amrubicin for invasive thymoma (WHO type B1, Masaoka classification IVa). Thymoma decreased in size, but she suffered from severe anemia, and pure red cell aplasia was diagnosed based on data from peripheral blood examination and bone marrow aspiration. Administration of cyclosporin and corticosteroid improved her anemia. Conculsion. We experienced two cases of pure red cell aplasia appeared during chemotherapy for invasive thymoma. It is important to observe the patients during or even after chemotherapy by keeping the possible appearance of pure red cell aplasia in mind.