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Erythrocytosis caused by erythropoietin-producing thymic carcinoma

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Abstract

We describe the first reported case, in an 82-year-old man, of erythrocytosis caused by an erythropoietin (EPO)-producing thymic carcinoma. The patient underwent computed tomography-guided fine-needle aspiration of a 6-cm anterior mediastinal mass, and histological findings revealed thymic squamous cell carcinoma. The existence of EPO was confirmed immunohistochemically using the tumor tissue. Postoperative clinical improvement of erythrocytosis and the decline of EPO suggest a paraneoplastic nature of erythrocytosis as seen in this patient.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by a grant for clinical cancer research from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. We would like to thank the staff of the Hematology Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, for their excellent patient care.

Conflict of interest statement

W. Munakata, K. Ohashi, K. Sakaguchi, H. Horio, T. Hishima, H. Akiyama, and H. Sakamaki received a grant for clinical cancer research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan

    Wataru Munakata, Kazuteru Ohashi, Hideki Akiyama & Hisashi Sakamaki

  2. Thoracic Surgery Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan

    Wataru Munakata, Koji Sakaguchi & Hirotoshi Horio

  3. Pathology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, 113-8677, Japan

    Tsunekazu Hishima

Authors
  1. Wataru Munakata
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  2. Kazuteru Ohashi
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  3. Koji Sakaguchi
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  4. Hirotoshi Horio
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  5. Tsunekazu Hishima
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  6. Hideki Akiyama
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  7. Hisashi Sakamaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazuteru Ohashi.

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Munakata, W., Ohashi, K., Sakaguchi, K. et al. Erythrocytosis caused by erythropoietin-producing thymic carcinoma. Int J Clin Oncol 15, 220–223 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-010-0029-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-010-0029-x

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