We present the case of a 33-year-old woman who within weeks developed severe swallowing difficulties and weakness in her limbs to an extent requiring hospitalization. Workup confirmed clinically suspected diagnoses of polymyositis and autoimmune myasthenia. A suspicion of malignant thymoma based on chest computed tomography was histologically verified. Patient treatment and response are presented. The case emphasizes the importance of recognizing that thymomas, in rare instances, may present with a combination of neuromuscular disorders in the same patient.
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Article Synopsis
- * Thymomas grow slowly and are localized, while thymic carcinomas grow quickly and can spread, with respective 5-year survival rates of 78% and 30%.
- * Treatment depends on tumor resectability, starting with surgery for early-stage cases, followed by chemotherapy for more advanced stages, while conditions like myasthenia gravis are associated with these tumors and can be treated through various methods, including extended thymectomy.
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