High-dose methylprednisolone with chemotherapy for invasive thymoma: a case report.

Abstract

A case of invasive thymoma that responded well to the administration of a high-dose methylpredonisolone with cisplatin and adriamycin is reported. A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea, chest oppression and edema of the face. Chest CT revealed a large mass in the anterior mediastinum with the opacification of superior vena cava. Biopsy specimens from the mass revealed a spindle cell thymoma, consisting of epithelial cells and lymphoid cells. A diagnosis of invasive thymoma was made and the patient was intravenously treated with a high-dose of methylprednisolone (1000 mg on days 1-5 and 500 mg on days 6 and 7), cisplatin (80 mg/m2 on day 1) and adriamycin (40 mg/m2 on day 1). The treatment with three courses of this combined chemotherapy resulted in the improvement and regression of all clinical signs and symptoms. This case demonstrated that a high-dose methylprednisolone with cisplatin and adriamycin might be potentially effective for invasive thymoma.

• Authors: Mitsutoshi Hayashi, Manako Taira, Isao Yamawaki, Shin-Ichiro Ohkawa
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2006 Sep-Oct Vol. 26 Issue 5B Pg. 3645-8 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 17094379 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Doxorubicin
• Cisplatin
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Doxorubicin (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Mediastinal Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Thymoma (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome